#epomis

[quilbug-draws]

Insectember day 14: Epomis Common name: Epomis beetle

Woe to the frog this beetle tracks

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[sanktpolypenbourg]

So, uhm, how RAW do you think ‘Amphibia’ is willing to get in the biology department, in your opinion?

They already did parasitic mind-control fungus and pacman frogs, so it’s all kinda fair game.

They could still have a proper “Halloween” episode coming up, after all.

Also read on to find out what this gorgeous kid

is all about, but proceed at your own peril. You have been warned.

These froggers suffer a classic case of the Epomis. More info and fascinating footage on this astonishing frog hunter can be found starting here.

[beetle-guy]

Here’s my WIP as of today, showing where I stopped on Tuesday (left) and what I did today (right). For those that are curious, here is the first post of this project.   

[beetle-guy]

I don’t normally post my WIPs online but I’m pretty excited about this one. I’m taking a beginning paint class and our current project is essentially “pick a picture you want to paint”. I chose this really neat picture from Gil Wizen’s article about Epomis beetles for the project. This is on a 16″x20″ canvas with Water Mixable Oil Paint (because screw dealing with turpentine).    

[beetle-guy]

Epomis beetles – insect response to amphibian tyranny - Gil Wizen

Epomis is a genus of ground beetles with a fascinating biology: using unique behavior, their larvae are able to hunt and prey on amphibians.

[slaughterhousejustine-blog]

The beetle (Epomis) immediately jumps on the amphibian's back and bites it. The amphibian responds with jumping, trying unsuccessfully to shake the beetle off. After 10 minutes, the amphibian ceases moving, and the beetle consumes and kills it.

Original publication: Gil Wizen, Avital Gasith (2011). Predation of amphibians by carabid beetles of the genus Epomis found in the central coastal plain of Israel. ZooKeys 100: 181-191. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.100.1526 .