Notices by kho (kho@shitposter.club), page 3
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kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:53 JST 
kho
Dobsonflies (genus Corydalus) are large and rather fearsome-looking insects (they raise their heads and open and close their jaws to try to intimidate, often quite successfully). They are primarily nocturnal, are more common near bodies of water, are active from late spring to mid-summer, and are attracted to lights. Both males and females can reach up to five inches in length, and although the rather frightening pincer-like mandibles of the male are much larger and more intimidating in appearance than are the female’s, they are so large that they afford weak leverage and are thus incapable of breaking a person’s skin. They are mostly ‘all show,’ so to speak, for impressing females, but also they are used for grasping a female during copulation. The mandibles (pincers) of the female, however, are short and stout and thus capable of inflicting a painful–but not venomous–bite (they are strong and sharp enough to draw blood).
Adult dobsonflies are some of the largest non-Lepidopteran insects of temperate zones such as the United States and Canada, with a wingspan of up to 18 cm (7.1 in).
The wings of a dobsonfly are densely lined with intersecting veins, and when the insect is at rest, the wings are folded along the length of the body, i.e. parallel to the body. Their antennae are long and have many segments. Dobsonflies possess an irritating, foul-smelling defensive anal spray that they use as a last resort. The larvae–called hellgrammites (see photo below)–are aquatic, can reach anywhere from 2″ to 3″ in length, and are familiar to fishermen who like to use them as bait, especially for catfish. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:52 JST
kho
🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨
Empusa Fasciata, aka Conehead Mantis, holds a significant place within the taxonomy of the mantis order. It belongs to the Mantodea order, a diverse group of insects commonly referred to as praying mantises. Within this order, Empusa Fasciata finds its home in the Empusidae family, which distinguishes itself with unique characteristics.
In their natural habitat, Empusa Fasciata can be found across regions spanning from North-East Italy to Westasia. These captivating creatures thrive in dry meadows, particularly favoring areas with small bushes and grasses. They demonstrate a strong preference for direct sunlight and dry conditions, reflecting their adaptation to warm and arid environments. Camouflaged expertly to blend seamlessly with their surroundings, they often perch on vegetation, patiently awaiting the arrival of flying insects that make up their specialized diet.
With an average size ranging from 5cm to 8cm, it boasts a slender and elongated body, adorned with striking stripes and patterns along its thorax and abdomen. Its coloration varies from shades of brown and green, enabling it to blend seamlessly with its dry meadow habitat. The most prominent feature is its large, protruding compound eyes that provide excellent vision for detecting prey. Empusa Fasciata’s elongated, spiky forelegs enable it to be a highly efficient and agile predator, specialized in catching flying insects.
Empusa Fasciata’s aerial hunting techniques showcase its prowess as an accomplished predator. With lightning-fast reflexes, it deftly snatches flying insects from mid-air, exhibiting remarkable agility and precision. Its elongated forelegs act like deadly spears, ensuring a swift capture of its airborne prey. This specialized skill makes Empusa Fasciata an aerial marvel within the mantis world, with its hunting prowess matched by few other insects. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:52 JST
kho
🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨
Motyxia sequoiae, which are the only known bioluminescent millipedes, are found solely in a small region of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California.
Motyxia's glow warns nocturnal predators that these 60-legged creatures are armed and dangerous; any predator that riles a Motyxia risks being squirted by toxins, including hydrogen cyanide, an extremely poisonous gas, which the millipede releases when it feels threatened. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:52 JST
kho
Cyclosa, also called trashline orbweavers, is a genus of orb-weaver spiders first described by Anton Menge in 1866. Widely distributed worldwide, spiders of the genus Cyclosa build relatively small orb webs with a web decoration. The web decoration in Cyclosa spiders is often linear and includes prey remains and other debris, which probably serve to camouflage the spider.
These spiders are known to be both biting and venomous, but their bites are thought to be unable to seriously injure healthy humans and other large animals, such as dogs.
They create the so-called "trashline" web, which is a line of various components such as prey's carcasses, detritus, and, at times, egg cases. This trashline appears to hinder the predators from visually locating the spider within its web. The trashline" helps the spider to camouflage exceptionally well. But, even though the trashline itself attracts attacking wasps, these wasps are unable to locate the spider within the web since the debris of the web's decoration is of similar color, size, and shape as the spider itself. Because of the variability in the amount of silk reserves the spider has, webs of different diameters may be created. However, larger web diameters do not impact the insect-trapping efficiency of stabilimenta-adorned webs, and instead, the efficiency is dependent solely on the presence of stabilimenta, a type of web decoration. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:51 JST
kho
Spanish moon moth of the Saturniidae family was described first in 1849 by Spanish entomologist Mariano de la Paz Graells y de la Agüera. This moth is native to Peninsular Spain. They live high up in the Pyrenees and other mountain ranges where climates are cold. There is a small representation in somes places located in France and Switzerland where they are not native but instead further generations of captive moths through repopulation attributed to human action with specimens from Spain.
The larva hatch after 1 to 1+1⁄2 weeks and begin to eat the very hard pine needles. It takes about one and a half months for the caterpillars to reach the last instar. In the last instar the caterpillars go down from the tree to pupate under leaves on the ground. In this stage the pupae in the cocoon overwinter until the next spring. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:50 JST
kho
🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨
Linguatula serrata can be found in several countries in Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North Africa, and the Americas. Although the distribution of this pentastomid is almost global, it is predominantly prevalent in warm subtropical and temperate regions.
As an adult, Linguatula serrata lives in the nasal airways or frontal sinuses of dogs, wolves, foxes, felines or other carnivorous mammals. The parasite's eggs are transferred when coughed or sneezed out from the lungs to the external environment. If swallowed by the definitive host, the eggs are passed through the feces to the external environment.
After being ingested by an herbivorous intermediate host from an aqueous environment, eggs hatch into their first larval stage, looking superficially like a mite. Many refer to these larvae as "nymphs," although they actually are a nauplius. The larvae use leg-like appendages for movement through the intermediate host. The first larval stage of L. serrata tunnels through gut wall with a stylet, as the host elicits an immune response. The immature larvae are then encysted. Encysting can happen in a number of tissues, including the liver, lymph nodes and muscle. This stage of infection is typically asymptomatic. After a series of molts in these cysts, the third stage larvae lose the leg-like appendages and can travel in between the abdominal cavity and the abdominal wall. While the larvae are encysted, many of them die and calcify after about two years, but if the definitive, carnivorous host feeds upon the intermediate host when the larvae are in their third stage, the carnivore acquires the parasite. The larvae develop to their adult stage in the nasopharynx of the carnivorous mammals and mate. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:50 JST
kho
Gonimbrasia belina is a species of emperor moth which is native to the warmer parts of southern Africa. Its large edible caterpillar, known as the mopane worm, madora, amacimbi or masontja, feeds primarily but not exclusively on mopane tree leaves. Mopane worms are an important source of protein for many in the region.
The moths are large with a wingspan of 120 mm. Wings are fawn coloured through shades of green and brown to red, with two black and white bands isolating the eyespots. An orange eyespot is present on each hindwing. Males moths have feathery antennae, which are used to find a mate.
Mopane worms are hand picked in the wild, often by women and children. In the bush, the caterpillars are not considered to belong to the landowner (if any), but around a house, permission should be sought from the resident. Chavanduka describes women in Zimbabwe tying a piece of bark to particular trees to establish ownership, or moving the young caterpillars to trees nearer home. When the caterpillar has been picked, it is pinched at the tail end to rupture the innards. The picker then squeezes it like a tube of toothpaste or lengthwise like a concertina, and whips it to expel the slimy, green contents of the gut.
Dried mopane worms can be eaten raw as a crisp snack; however, in Botswana people tend not to eat the head. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:50 JST
kho
🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨
The Carolina Tiger Beetle is a ferocious predator of many pest insects, so having healthy populations is beneficial. As adults, these predatory beetles consume many insects that humans consider a nuisance: spittlebugs, flies, caterpillars, spiders and ants. This particular species may be considered a natural turf-protector. A study showed it consumes insects that are known to kill the short grass seen on pitches, football fields, and golf courses.The hunting style of this beetle accounts for its 'tiger' moniker. Larvae are worm-like creatures and they reside in vertical tunnels, latching onto the side of the burrow with a hook-like feature on their body. They wait, with their mighty jaws at the surface of the hole. When an unaware insect walks over it, the larva quickly clamps its jaws on the insect, drags it down into the hole, and eats it. To be successful at hiding and hunting, larvae need undisturbed soil or sand. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:49 JST
kho
The cat flea belongs to the insect order Siphonaptera which in its adult stage is an obligatory hematophage. Adults of both sexes range from 1–2 mm long and are usually a reddish-brown colour, although the abdomens of gravid females often swell with eggs causing them to appear banded in cream and dark brown. Like all fleas, the cat flea is compressed laterally allowing it to slip between the sometimes dense hairs of its host just above the top layer of the skin, resulting in an extremely thin insect that may be difficult to observe even if the host's coat is pure white. Cat fleas are wingless.
The cat flea affects both the cat and the dog worldwide. The cat flea can also maintain its life cycle on other carnivores and on omnivores, but these are only chosen when more acceptable hosts become unavailable.[6] Adult cat fleas do not willingly leave their hosts, and inter-animal transfer of adult fleas is rare except in animals that share sleeping quarters. A flea which becomes separated from its host will often die within hours from starvation.
Unlike other insects, fleas do not possess compound eyes but instead only have simple eyespots with a single biconvex lens; some species lack eyes altogether. Their bodies are laterally compressed, permitting easy movement through the hairs or feathers on the host's body. The flea body is covered with hard plates called sclerites. These sclerites are covered with many hairs and short spines directed backward, which also assist its movements on the host. The tough body is able to withstand great pressure, likely an adaptation to survive attempts to eliminate them by scratching. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:48 JST
kho
🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨
The Tasmanian giant crab, also called the Bullcrab,Pseudocarcinus gigas (sometimes known as the giant deepwater crab, giant southern crab or queen crab) is a very large species of crab that resides on rocky and muddy bottoms in the oceans off Southern Australia. It is the only species in the genus Pseudocarcinus.
The Tasmanian giant crab is one of the largest crabs in the world, reaching a mass of 17.6 kg (39 lb) and a carapace width of up to 46 cm (18 in).
Male Tasmanian giant crabs reach more than twice the size of females, which do not exceed 7 kg (15 lb). Males have one normal-sized and one oversized claw (which can be longer than the carapace width), while both claws are normal-sized in the females. This crab is mainly whitish-yellow below and red above; the tips of the claws are black.
The Tasmanian giant crab feeds on carrion and slow-moving species, including gastropods, crustaceans (anomura and brachyura) and starfish. Cannibalism also occurs. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:48 JST
kho
The 0.5-inch (13-mm) euglossini bees are characterized by a brilliant metallic coloration, mostly green, blue, and gold.
Male orchid bees have uniquely modified legs that are used to collect and store different volatile compounds throughout their lives, which are believed to be released at their display sites in the forest understory, where matings are known to take place.
This perfume-seeking behavior is also where orchid bees get their name. The males are especially easy to spot as they hover over plants searching for that perfect smell.
Orchids have some unique adaptations that exploit this behavior to ensure pollination. These orchids lure bees in with enticing scents of vanilla, cinnamon, and…rotting meat. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:47 JST
kho
🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨
Flannel moths have been known to feed on many trees and shrubs, like elms, maples, hackberries, hollies, oaks, and sycamores, according to the NC State Extension. They are commonly spotted in oak and elm trees. Since these plants are frequently found in parks, gardens, and backyards, children are most likely to come in contact with the caterpillars. If you care for children, make sure you teach them about these caterpillars and warn them not to touch them. Basically, if you see a caterpillar wrapped in a stylish fur coat and munching on a tree, shrub, or anything else, it's best to keep your distance.
Given their appearance and resemblance to soft, fluffy pets, it's easy to understand why people would want to touch the southern flannel moth caterpillar. Unfortunately, the "fur" is nothing like a cuddly, feline friend. It actually contains venomous spines. Coming into contact with these spines will cause extremely painful reactions in the skin. Caterpillars that are more advanced in the larval stage have the most potent defense. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:47 JST
kho
🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨
The hermit crab differs from other animals in the Crustacean family because part of its body lacks a hard shell. Their abdomens are soft and unprotected, which makes them vulnerable to predators. Thankfully, these creatures can hide their soft abdomen inside of the shells of other creatures. The end of their abdomen is specially designed to wrap around and grip the coiled central columella of snail shells.
Ecuadorian hermit crab is one of the smallest hermit crab species. These little crabs grow to less than 1 inch in length.
Ecuadorian hermit crabs have four walking legs as well as a small and large pincer. They are quite active and can move more quickly than Caribbean hermit crabs. This species has oval-shaped eyes and the tips of their walking legs are darker in color than the rest of the leg. These crabs are typically tan in color but can also be found in bright colors like yellow or orange.
The Ecuadorian hermit crab is very particular when choosing its shell. They tend to prefer shells that have a wide, round aperture.
One thing to know about this and other hermit crab species is that they can be very long-lived. Ecuadorian hermit crabs have been known to live 30 years or more. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:47 JST
kho
The common brimstone is one of the longest-living butterflies, with a life expectancy ranging from 10 months to a year. Brimstone butterflies are a single brood species – the adult butterflies emerge in August and are on the wing, feeding and building up fat reserves, until they go into hibernation at the end of autumn. The butterflies, also called imago, re-emerge early in the spring to mate and begin their life cycle once more.
The brimstone butterflies feed on a range of nectar sources – as they are so early to emerge they rely initially upon long-flowering species such as dandelion, or early flowering species such as bluebell, cowslip and primrose. The key food plant in the autumn is thistles with a range of other species also used.
The larval food plant is surprisingly specific and not abundantly common – they require buckthorn or alder buckthorn. The species name for the butterfly eludes to this link – rhamni which refers to the latin for buckthorn – Rhamnus sp. This is a shrub which can be found in hedgerows and woodlands but is not nearly as common as other similar species such as hawthorn or blackthorn.
The cream and flavescent Brimstone Butterfly might be one of the representative species of the entire butterfly family since the very name ‘butterfly’ was probably derived from the ‘butter-colored flies’ that showed up with the advent of spring. Through their acts of mimicry and camouflage, they are known to be the ‘master of disguise’. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:46 JST
kho
🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨
Southeastern Lubber Grasshoppers are a destructive nuisance to gardens and farms, but they are certainly eye-catching thanks to their size and markings.
As a member of the Lubber Grasshopper family, this type of grasshopper is truly large compared to more common grasshoppers and crickets. Immature nymphs are black with pink and yellow spots and bands, but they become a brownish-tan as they mature. When threatened, Southeastern Lubbers may flap their brightly colored pink-orange hindwings in alarm. In addition to that, they can secrete a noxious odor, and may even hiss as they try to hop away. They cannot fly and feed on low-growing, or ground-level vegetation. Their larvae are found in clusters and can devastate a plant by eating through it entirely. Warmer states may have more than one generation per year. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:45 JST
kho
🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨
Silverfish, (Lepisma saccharina), species of quick-moving, slender, flat, wingless insect having three tail bristles and silvery scales. Silverfish normally live indoors and are found worldwide. They often are considered pests because they eat materials containing high percentages of starch, such as paste, bookbindings, and wallpaper, potentially causing damage to books and fabrics.
Superficially, the male silverfish resembles the female; in both, the antennae and the tail bristles are shorter than the body. Unlike other groups of true insects, which copulate, the silverfish performs courtship movements that end with the male depositing a sperm packet that the female places in her vagina. The oval whitish eggs are thought to be inserted into cracks and soil litter. The young, which hatch in several days, are scaleless and have short appendages. They molt every few days, gradually acquiring adult features. The silverfish continues to molt throughout the two or more years of its life, even after reaching sexual maturity. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:45 JST
kho
🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨
The family Phylliidae (often misspelled Phyllidae) contains the extant true leaf insects or walking leaves, which include some of the most remarkably camouflaged leaf mimics (mimesis) in the entire animal kingdom. They occur from South Asia through Southeast Asia to Australia.
Leaf mimicry often is elaborate among the leaf insects, with the insects’ wings and legs closely imitating leaf colour and form. Female elytra typically resemble, in their vein pattern, the midrib and veins in a leaf. Some species are even adorned with markings that resemble spots of disease or damage, including holes. Nymphs may sway side to side, as though mimicking the movement of a leaf in the wind. Leaf mimicry is thought to play an important role in defense against predators. Some species possess rows of tubercles on their antennae that when rubbed together produce sounds that may also serve to ward off predators. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:44 JST
kho
🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨
The common green lacewing is a lime green, delicate insect, with translucent, intricately veined wings.
There are 14 species of green lacewing in the UK and 29 species of brown lacewing. Probably the most familiar is the Common green lacewing, which is lime green, with large, delicately veined, translucent wings. It is commonly found in gardens and helps to keep pests under control as adults and larvae both feed on aphids. Lacewings are also widespread in parks, woods and meadows. Female lacewings lay their eggs on a thread of hardened mucus attached to a leaf, so they are suspended in the air. Adults will hibernate over winter, often in buildings.
The Common green lacewing is a familiar garden insect with copper eyes, green, lacy wings, and a green body. It turns pinkish-brown in the autumn. However, the different species of green lacewing are very difficult to tell apart. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:44 JST
kho
Pieris rapae was first described by Linnaeus in 1758 as Papilio rapae, but subsequently placed in the genus Pieris by Schrank. Pieris rapae is the preferred and most often used name.
The head and body of the first-instar larva are pale yellow with fine transparent hairs arising from small white spots. The mature larva is about 3 cm long, its head and body are velvety green with short hairs. There is a faint yellow mid-dorsal line and numerous black, and occasional white, minute raised spots from which arise short translucent hairs. Segments have one or two yellow lateral spots. The larva has five pairs of prolegs.
Pieris rapae is a white, diurnally active butterfly with a wingspan of 4-6 cm. The wings are white with a black area near the tip of each forewing and a small black spot on the front edge of the wing. The female has two black spots on each forewing, while the male has only one. In the male, the apex and costa of the forewings are grey-black with a black spot at the lower angle of the cell and sometimes another obscure blotch below it. The hindwing has a black spot on the costa near the apex. The forewing below is white with the apex yellowish, and a pair of black blotches corresponding to the blotches on the upper surface. The hindwing is dull yellow, dusted with black. The female is slightly larger than the male, usually creamy white above and always with two black spots on the forewing. -
kho (kho@shitposter.club)'s status on Monday, 12-Feb-2024 13:21:43 JST
kho
🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨
True to its name, the citrus flatid planthopper, Metcalfa pruinosa (Say), is found on citrus, but can be found on a wide variety of woody plants, many of which are used in the ornamental trade. This planthopper seldom causes economic damage to most plants except to those weakened by some other factor such as freeze damage.
Usually, adults of Metcalfa pruinosa are 5.5 to 8 mm in length and 2 to 3 mm in width at the widest point. This species, along with certain other flatids, might be mistaken for a moth at first glance. Flatids have broadly triangular front wings that are held close to the body in a vertical position and give the insects a wedge-shaped, laterally compressed appearance from above. The front wings (tegmina) have a well-developed, transversely veined costal cell and a granulate clavus; the hind tibiae normally have two lateral spines in addition to those at the apex.
Metcalfa pruinosa is common in eastern North America, ranging from Ontario and Quebec to Florida, west to the Great Plains states, south to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Mexico.
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