Post Ac2dX8zExKcHFl9Eyu by kho@shitposter.club
 (DIR) More posts by kho@shitposter.club
 (DIR) Post #AWrKXpzGZVo0Tc89QG by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-06-19T19:39:55.589346Z
       
       9 likes, 9 repeats
       
       Giant Wetas are a group of twelve large, flightless insects endemic to New Zealand. They belong to the genus Deinacrida, with individual species displaying varying sizes and appearances.The Giant Wetas are among the heaviest insects in the world. The heaviest-known individual weighed around 70 grams (2.47 oz).Wetas are primarily nocturnal and herbivorous, feeding on leaves, fruit, and other plant material, although they may occasionally consume other invertebrates.
       
 (DIR) Post #AWtKc3ud82QX8htd0i by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-06-20T18:50:06.683005Z
       
       2 likes, 3 repeats
       
       Remipede venom is odd compared to that of other arthropods. While some spiders, for example, use venom consisting of tiny neurotoxic proteins, the remipede’s toxic cocktail is dominated by larger enzymes that break down the exoskeletons of their prey and destroy proteins in their bodies, softening their defenses and making their insides more easily digestible. In its makeup, the researchers say, remipede’s venom is more like that of vipers than any of its arthropod cousins. There is one familial similarity, though: a neurotoxin that paralyzes the remipede’s victims and is nearly identical to one found in spiders.With so many crustaceans out there, why is the remipede the only one to become venomous? The researchers think that because the group has such varied diets—some are filter feeders, some are scavengers—none of them really needed a potent weapon for taking down large prey. While remipedes have also been seen filtering small bits of food from the water, their environment and lifestyle pressured them into going toxic.
       
 (DIR) Post #AWzH0rfeXPraKIAUFM by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-06-23T15:38:02.495188Z
       
       8 likes, 6 repeats
       
       Kiwa are a genus of marine decapods that inhabit hydrothermal vents and cold seeps at deep-sea levels. They have three nicknames that are often used instead of their actual name – yeti crab, yeti lobster, or furry lobster.The yeti crab farms its own food – on its armsThe hairy ‘arms’ of this tiny crab capture all kinds of bacteria that live and grow on the crab. To encourage growth, yeti crabs have been seen waving it’s arms back and forth in seeping vents.As a result, the bacteria are the primary source of food for the yeti crab.The yeti crab official name comes from mythology. The Polynesian goddess of shellfish was named Kiwa.
       
 (DIR) Post #AWzHJO3mr1I1zaHyFM by binkle@clubcyberia.co
       2023-06-23T15:40:52.377802Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho i bet he calls his arms "flavor savors"
       
 (DIR) Post #AX1DseQfyUzBOZTU8G by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-06-24T14:12:21.917208Z
       
       3 likes, 4 repeats
       
       The giraffe necked weevil is named for the long neck which is colored black. At the top of the neck is the head which features two eyes and a pair of antennae which project out from it. Males have a much longer neck than females sometimes by three times as much.Males have this longer neck for use in combat across other males.A pair of males will fight for mating rights with a female. She may wait close by while they duel using their long necks and then mates with the winner. On a rare occasion these fights may end in death for one of the parties.The female deposits a single egg on a leaf and then rolls this up to provide protection to the egg and gives it its first meal upon hatching. Once this role is completed they will cut the tube so it falls to the forest floor.After hatching the giraffe necked weevil is a yellowish larva which feeds on the leaf it was wrapped in. It will then undertake a pupation to become an adult weevil.
       
 (DIR) Post #AX5hyUAZICqgd79W2y by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-06-25T19:42:39.059085Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Relative to other insects, dragonflies have extraordinarily keen vision that helps them detect the movement of other flying critters and avoid in-flight collisions. Thanks to two huge compound eyes, the dragonfly has nearly 360° vision and can see a wider spectrum of colors than humans. Each compound eye contains 28,000 lenses or ommatidia and a dragonfly uses about 80% of its brain to process all of the visual information it receives.Dragonflies are able to move each of their four wings independently. They can flap each wing up and down, and rotate their wings forward and back on an axis. Dragonflies can move straight up or down, fly backward, stop and hover, and make hairpin turns—at full speed or in slow motion. A dragonfly can fly forward at a speed of 100 body lengths per second (up to 30 miles per hour).
       
 (DIR) Post #AX5hyVCNSxtFp10TVQ by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-06-26T18:08:24.827541Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       A species endemic to North America, the asp caterpillar—Megalopyge opercularis—looks quite harmless. However, it should be treated with extreme caution as it has very powerful venom and is one of the most toxic caterpillars in North America. At the end of the fluffy hairs lie sharp, poisonous spines which pierce the skin and can cause extreme allergic reactions such as inflammation, blisters, headaches, nausea and breathing difficulties. These symptoms can last for days.Many cases of injury have been reported in the United States over the years—the injuries occur mainly in children as they try to pick up these creatures. The asp caterpillar grows to two centimeters in length an the adult is the crinkled flannel moth, which also has a bizarre, yeti-like appearance.
       
 (DIR) Post #AX5i28lwmx29QUNYga by anonicus@shitposter.club
       2023-06-26T18:09:04.447309Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho I ate one of these before
       
 (DIR) Post #AX5mTJvloFErfXBo9o by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-06-26T18:58:48.479585Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @anonicus NOOO do not touch definitely do not eat
       
 (DIR) Post #AX5x5GwyL3geyEUH1E by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-06-26T20:57:43.052864Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       I've had requests to include the adult moth stage so here it is, plus bonus cocoon.
       
 (DIR) Post #AX7haeX3V9Hy8SE5L6 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-06-27T17:13:31.770407Z
       
       1 likes, 2 repeats
       
       The traditional appearance of the sea spider is that of long legs and a small body. Across the many species of sea spider, the leg count varies from 4 – 6 pairs. Sea spiders operate without the respiratory system that we are used to. Instead, they use their legs to take in vital gasses, such as oxygen. They also utilize a proboscis, which enables them to digest soft-bodied invertebrates via a sucking mechanism. Some species of sea spiders are so tiny that the muscles on their exoskeleton are made of just a single cell. The legs of sea spiders also contain their guts and genitals, which makes them very unique.
       
 (DIR) Post #AX9oI4h75vkjlkwHHk by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-06-28T17:38:01.788095Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Everyone loves the mantis shrimp, so here you go.Mantis shrimp are either "spearers" or "smashers" depending on their claws and prey-killing tactics. Spearers have spiny appendages with barbed tips, that are used to stab soft-bodied prey, such as different types of worms and fish. Smashers have more developed club-like appendages that are used to bludgeon and smash their prey to pieces.Smashers can punch at same velocity as a gunshot from a .22 caliber rifle. Smasher mantis shrimp have two raptorial appendages (called ‘dactyl clubs’) on the front of its body that it uses to punch its prey. These fists are spring loaded, able to accelerate from their body at over 50 mph, delivering a force of over 1,500 newtons, enough to smash through crabs and clam shells.They can crack and punch holes in aquarium glass. While they are highly desired, they require special stronger aquariums. When they encounter an obstacle they wish to move, they often try and punch their way out. They have also been known to attack their own reflection through the glass.Eyes of mantis shrimp are located on the long stalks that can move independently. Each eye has ‘trinocular vision’, which means it can gauge depth and distance on its own by focusing on objects with three separate regions. They are thought to have the most complex eyes in the animal kingdom and have the most complex visual system ever discovered They can see a special spiraling type of light called circularly polarized light that’s not been documented in any other animal. They also have a structure in their eyes that’s similar to technology found in DVD players, only much more advanced.While they have significantly more color photo-receptors, research suggests they are actually worse at differentiating color than humans. However, scientists believe this is because their eyes are operating at a different level, functioning more like a satellite. It’s believed Mantis shrimp can take all visual information into their brains immediately without having to process it, allowing them to react instantly to the environment.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXC3aGreTNdaM3vGyG by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-06-29T19:38:49.023242Z
       
       3 likes, 2 repeats
       
       Jumping spider eyes are, in a word, incredible. The spiders, despite their tiny size, are better at seeing patterns than elephants are. Their pair of central eyes, known as the principle eyes, are almost like a pair of tiny binoculars: They have a large outer lens, then a smaller inner lens that magnifies the image from the outer lens and projects it onto the retina. The spiders are also unusual in that they have muscles attached directly to their retinas. That means they can move retinas up and down, side to side, focusing on different segments of the world without a hint of movement on the outside — a handy ability for a hunter. Meanwhile, the spiders' secondary pairs of eyes are less acute, but they provide crucial peripheral vision, Live Science previously reported. Most species of jumping spider can see ultraviolet light and blues and greens. Some species, though, have evolved special tricks to expand their color vision. These tend to be the flashier species, such as the paradise jumping spiders (genus Habbernatus), which are often decorated in shades of red and orange. In some species, a random genetic mutation has introduced an extra copy of the gene that makes the proteins that allow for blue/green vision. This extra copy has then acquired mutations capable of detecting red and orange. Similar mutations allowed primates to develop color vision.Jumping spiders can live up to their name. These spiders don't hunt by snaring prey in a web, but rather they stalk their quarry and then leap. Despite their tiny body size, jumping spiders can leap up to 6.3 inches (160 mm), according to a 2018 paper in the journal Scientific Reports. The spiders often spin a little silk and set a thread-like "anchor" before they leap, which may help stabilize their flight and protect them in case their landing is off. Jumping spiders most often jump to catch their prey, but sometimes leap to flee danger. They can also be quite clever: Researchers in the 2018 study actually trained a jumping spider (Phidippus regius) to leap from platform to platform.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXDkHc3HxoPxkhfvTk by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-06-30T15:11:58.357592Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Giant Shield Bug -Tessaratomids resemble large stink bugs (family Pentatomidae) and are sometimes quite colorful. Most tessaratomids are Old World, with only three species known from the Neotropics. Some members of Tessaratomidae exhibit maternal care of eggs and offspring. The defensive chemicals of certain species can cause significant damage if they come into contact with human skin; they may also cause temporary blindness. All species are exclusively plant-eaters, some of major economic importance as agricultural pests. A few species are also consumed as human food in some countries.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXG4W4VPMEhdS8v4lM by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-01T18:08:06.546671Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The smallest arthropod of any kind (and also the smallest species of crustacean) is Stygotantulus stocki, a tantulocarid. This tiny creature measures only 0.094 mm long, and is an ectoparasite of harpacticoid copepods (which are themselves crustaceans).
       
 (DIR) Post #AXItkAqE59Et8T3hiq by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-03T02:51:32.175860Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨The coconut crab — sometimes called a robber crab — boasts powerful pincers, which are some of the most dangerous weapons in the animal kingdom. Experts say a pinch from this crab can rival a lion’s bite. So there’s no question that they can do some terrifying things with their claws.But the good news for humans is that the crabs don’t usually use their claws on us. As the name suggests, the coconut crab’s main source of food is coconuts. And since most of these creatures live on islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, they usually have no trouble finding their favorite food.As omnivorous creatures, coconut crabs are willing to eat both plants and animals. They’ve been known to kill birds, feast on kittens, and rip apart pig carcasses. Eerily, they’ve also been known to practice cannibalism — and they will rarely hesitate to eat other coconut crabs.In short, almost nothing is off the menu for a robber crab. They’ll even eat their own exoskeletons.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXKNZEJc17kSVWSfPE by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-03T20:00:24.932370Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Velvet ants are not ants. Velvet ants are part of the wasp family.Velvet ants, like other wasps and bees feed on nectar. Unlike the female velvet ant, males have wings but no stingers. The male velvet ant will fly low to the ground looking for females.When mating, the female makes a squeaking sound by rubbing one abdominal segment against another. Both will squeak when frightened.It´s the female who is responsible for finding a home for her eggs to hatch but she is sneaky and resourceful and will lay her eggs in another ground wasp or bee´s nest where they will hatch and feed on the bee´s or wasp larvae.Although both the white and the red velvet ant have powerful stings, it´s the red velvet ant (Dasymutilla occidentalis) that has been nicknamed “Cow Killer.”It’s sting may hurt but it doesn´t kill. If stung, it is said to hurt “like you know what” for a good 20 minutes. The red velvet ant can be found in the eastern and southern states and west towards Texas.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXKO5eWu5Wgf4o8fBI by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-03T20:06:16.768343Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       
       
 (DIR) Post #AXMoeBNdRY31vlqhcm by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-05T00:13:16.340684Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       What this spider has going for it is a really scary name. Otherwise, you probably wouldn’t hear much about it. It rarely kills people and many who are bitten never even know it. There are 32 types of widow spiders, including the western, southern, and northern widows, as well as the red, gray, and brown widows. They’re found on every continent except Antarctica. The females are usually dark-colored, frequently with red, white, or brown markings on the dorsal of the abdomen. Some have the classic hourglass-shaped markings and some do not. Black widows are usually small but carry an unusually potent venom that contains larotoxin, a neurotoxin that can cause pain, muscle rigidity, vomiting, and sweating. Symptoms typically last three to seven days. Only the female bite is considered dangerous to humans. Each year, about 2,200 people report being bitten by black widows. None has died since 1983. On the other hand, some house cats have died of convulsions or paralysis.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXOK1mG7mnoshq1irY by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-05T17:39:35.166836Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       A brown recluse’s venom can destroy blood vessels, tissue, and nerves. As a result, the skin tissue can die, a phenomenon called skin necrosis.In the mature brown recluse spider as well as some other species of recluse spiders, the dark violin marking is well defined, with the neck of the violin pointing toward the bulbous abdomen.Brown recluses have six eyes instead of the usual eight. These eyes are arranged in a horizontal row of 3 pairs on the face.Only a few other spiders have 3 pairs of eyes arranged this way, such as the Spitting Spiders (scytodids). Brown Recluse Spiders can be distinguished from scytodids as recluse spiders abdomens have no coloration pattern nor do their legs, which also lack spines.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXQOFH6enZpXZGY7dY by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-06T17:36:17.100586Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 House flies feed and breed in the things we revile: garbage, animal dung, sewage, human excrement, and other nasty substances. Musca domestica is probably the best known and most common of the insects we collectively refer to as filth flies. In suburban or rural areas, house flies are also plentiful in fields where fish meal or manure is used as fertilizer, and in compost heaps where grass clippings and rotting vegetables accumulate.House flies have sponge-like mouthparts, which are good for soaking up liquefied substances but not for eating solid foods. So, the house fly either seeks out food that is already in puddle form, or it finds a way to turn the food source into something it can manage. This is where things get kind of gross. When a house fly locates something tasty but solid, it regurgitates onto the food (which may be your food, if it's buzzing around your barbecue). The fly vomit contains digestive enzymes that go to work on the desired snack, quickly predigesting and liquefying it so the fly can lap it up. How do flies decide something is appetizing? They step on it! Like butterflies, house flies have their taste buds on their toes, so to speak. Taste receptors, called chemosensilla, are located at the far ends of the fly's tibia and tarsa (in simpler terms, the lower leg and foot). The moment they land on something of interest – your garbage, a pile of horse manure, or perhaps your lunch – they start sampling its flavor by walking around.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXSWHaxHA0qJejhMtU by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-07T18:15:46.046370Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Carpenter ants live in large colonies with hundreds of workers (all sterile females), several males and females that reproduce, and one or more queen. When part of an established colony goes into a nearby structure, it sometimes establishes a smaller satellite colony there. Some experts believe this is the main way carpenter ants invade houses.Carpenter ants don’t actually eat the wood they excavate (unlike termites), lacking the digestive enzymes to break down cellulose. Instead, they forage on a wide variety of plant and animal materials, including sweet substances, like honeydew produced by aphids. They also eat the body fluids and proteins of both dead and live insects. Most of this foraging is at night, kept somewhat hidden by the underground tunnels they use. Carpenter ants have a painful bite, but cannot sting.Hilltopping: When the winged swarmers emerge in spring to mate, they often gather at pronounced points on the landscape, like a large tree or lone building or top of a hill, thus the term, “hilltopping.” The swarms can turn into rolling clusters of males trying to mate with a single female.Exploding ants: Some Malaysian carpenter ant species make the ultimate sacrifice to defend against attackers. They can explode their bodies, spraying a sticky and caustic fluid from inside a special jaw-to-abdomen-length gland, which immobilizes the enemy.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXUfbhsCR7igo7uPB2 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-08T19:09:39.336277Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Saddleback caterpillars, Acharia stimulea, have a brown saddle-shaped spot on the middle of their green backs. They are called slug caterpillars because the abdominal legs lack tiny hooks that most other caterpillars have, and because the six jointed legs are so short. Saddleback caterpillars are one of the stinging caterpillars that bear urticating hairs on four prominent knobs at the front and rear as well as smaller knobs along the sides. These caterpillars are about 3/4 inch long when mature and spin tough silk cocoons in which they overwinter. Saddleback caterpillar moths are fuzzy and dark brown with some cinnamon spots and tiny white spots. These moths emerge from the cocoons the following spring and summer and lay 30 to 50 tiny, flat eggs that overlap like fish scales on the upper surface of leaves of various trees and shrubs. From the eggs hatch tiny, almost transparent caterpillars that already display yellow, spine-covered knobs around their bodies. Aside from tiny parasitic wasps that plague saddleback caterpillars, other mortality factors such as diseases and predators usually keep the numbers of these caterpillars low.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXWhq4nSan4gBMajnE by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-09T18:44:06.032084Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Creatonotos Gangis is the scientific name for a peculiar type of moth from Australia and Southeast Asia. They usually come with abdomens that are either yellow or red.They have four coremata sticking out from their abdomen that are but are usually retracted, they are pushed out during the breeding season. The coremata release pheromones which attract females and show that the male is ready to breed. When the coremata are fully extended, they can become longer that the actual body itself which is typically around four centimetres.They are found in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland in Australia and are found in some parts of South-east Asia. Their diet is also quite peculiar, as it eats a variety of PA rich leaves. PA (pyrrolizidine alkaloides) are usually foul tasting, toxic chemicals that would usually deter insects, but Creatonotos gangis loves plants with this strange chemical inside. This "diet" consists of plants such as pomegranate trees, rice plants, soybeans and maize. This diet is primarily during its caterpillar stage but is sometimes consumed by the adult moths.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXZIMkACJRUGPa1TpQ by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-11T00:42:48.349897Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Neocaridina davidi has a similar anatomy to marine shrimp (ocean dwelling). The differences lie in the shape of certain structures. Belonging to the order Decapoda, Neocaridina davidi have five pairs of walking legs called periopods. The first two pair of legs are modified structures called chelate, which are claw-like appendages used for grabbing food. In front of the periopods are three pairs of maxillipeds or jaw legs used for feeding. Under the abdomen are five pairs of limbs that are used for swimming called pleopods. In female shrimp, these limbs are also used for egg holding. The rostrum, or beak, of the cherry shrimp has a more squared shape compared to the more pointed shape found in saltwater shrimp species. Like most shrimp species, ornamental shrimp are detritivores and opportunistic feeders. They will graze on algae, biofilms, and dead plants and animals on the bottoms of rivers.Neocaridina davidi spends the majority of its time grazing on biofilms that form on leaf litter. Like most crustaceans, shrimp play a crucial role in the aquatic ecosystem by serving as a food source for other organisms and by recycling nutrients through feeding on decaying vegetation. This helps keep the water clean.Unlike most crustaceans, this shrimp does not have a larval stage. The young of this species emerge from the eggs as miniature versions of the adult, they are only around 1 to 2 millimeters in length. As with all arthropods, Neocaridina davidi grows by molting their exoskeleton (Figure 5). They will feed on their molted exoskeleton to reabsorb valuable nutrients. Sexual maturity is reached at around 30 days.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXbfh8J7zbueeVYP7A by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-12T04:13:37.850412Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Millipedes have hard, cord-like bodies made up of multiple segments; each segment has a pair of legs. Because of their many pairs of closely arranged legs, millipedes tend to move slowly, with their legs pushing in a wave-like pattern. When alarmed, millipedes coil up in a tight spiral shape. Size varies greatly by species, with the smallest millipedes measuring about 2 cm in length. While tropical millipedes may measure as long as 30 cm, most Canadian millipede species only reach a length of about 8 cm. Most millipedes are entirely black, though some species may appear dark brown or reddish. They have short but visible antennae made up of 7 segments.Millipedes are ground-dwelling arthropods that live outdoors and thrive in dark habitats with plenty of moisture. Known to feed on decaying plant matter, millipedes often reside directly within sources of food, like piles of leaf litter or rotting logs. The arthropods also commonly burrow in areas where soil stays moist, like under rocks or piles of mulch.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXcqo84kXx1ic8KLfU by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-12T17:52:51.724482Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       The Brazilian treehopper (Bocydium globulare) is a species of insect belonging to the treehopper family (Membracidae). It has unusual appendages on its head. While Bocydium can be found throughout the world, they are most prevalent in Africa, North and South America, Asia and Australia. They exhibit limited movement and their primary food source is from the underside of leaves.This species has very apparent, globular appendages coming out of its thorax. Entomologists are still not certain about why these treehoppers have these appendages, however, it has been proposed that the adaptation deters their predators.The nymphs feed on the underside of leaves. They are deemed "sap sucking" insects because the nymph gets its nutrition from the sap of the leaves.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXfKAJteYxUKdMzSb2 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-13T22:31:14.409623Z
       
       4 likes, 2 repeats
       
       Coccinellidae is a family of small, rounded (hemispheric), usually bright colored, short-legged beetles, known variously as ladybugs (North American English), ladybirds (British English, Australian English, South African English), or lady beetles (preferred by some scientists). Unlike most insects, ladybugs have caught people's imagination and are generally held in high regard. In some cultures, they are considered a sign of good luck, whose killing brings bad luck. Their very name (ladybug or ladybird) is believed to be a dedication to the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus. It is believed that coccinellids are often brightly colored to ward away potential predators. This defense works because most predators associate bright colors (especially orange and black or yellow and black) with poison and other unpleasant properties. This phenomenon is called aposematism. In fact, most coccinellids are indeed poisonous to smaller predators, such as lizards and small birds. However, a human would have to eat several hundred coccinellids before feeling any effects. Adult coccinellids are able to reflex-bleed hemolymph from their leg joints, releasing their oily yellow toxin with a strong repellent smell. This becomes quite obvious when one handles a coccinellid roughly.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXh2KhRQT9Xbh4VUBs by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-14T18:20:50.775583Z
       
       1 likes, 2 repeats
       
       Although they look like really small scorpions, Pseudoscorpions lack a tail or stinger. They have venom glands in their claws meant to kill tiny mites and springtails. They are so small, however, they pose no threat to humans and would require a magnifying glass in order to get a really good look at them. Because they do not have wings, traveling long distances can be difficult. Their minute stature allows them to catch free rides on oblivious larger insects, like beetles and even flies. Some species are blind, but even those with sight are not able to see well. They use their claws like antennae, feeling and touching their surroundings to find their way around.Pseudoscorpions can make their own silk, but they do not spin webs or use it to catch prey like a spider would. Instead, they build cocoons to shelter in during cold winters. Look for them in a variety of places: between book pages, at the water's edge, in caves, woods, under rocks, and maybe even in a house (bathroom, laundry room, etc.).©InsectIdentification.org
       
 (DIR) Post #AXj87Sznr15xAUZzoe by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-15T18:35:06.558795Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Neotibicen superbus, the superb dog-day cicada, is a species of cicada in the family Cicadidae. It is the greenest cicada in the neotibicen genus. It has reduced black patterning and looks different than most other cicadas in its genus. Its song is a soft buzz that reaches a crescendo.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXlAb79gD5peLINsBs by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-16T18:12:18.016583Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Rubber ducky isopods have a pair of lips that look similar to a duck. And from that, the naming has been done. Other than having a “ducky” look, they have a round, segmented body, typically brown or grey. Their exoskeleton is hard, providing them with protection from predators and the elements.On average, rubber ducky isopods can reach up to 2 cm or 0.8 inches in length. Even though rubber ducky isopods can survive up to a few years, as they’re slow growers, they become only a couple of centimetres in length.Rubber ducky isopods are found all over the world. However,  they are most commonly found in damp, shady areas such as leaf litter, rocks and logs, and soil. They are also found in gardens, parks, and in greenhouses.There’s an interesting reason behind isopods living around wet and moist places. In order to respire and survive, isopods need to keep their respiratory organs wet. That’s why you often see them living or roaming around damp places.Rubber ducky isopods are decomposers, and their diet mainly consists of organic matter such as leaves, wood, and soil. They are also known to feed on dead insects, algae, and other plant material.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXnEOMyEsy53lH8AqG by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-17T18:04:14.099229Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The Antilles Pinktoe Tarantula is a member of the genus Avicularia that is the most widespread group of spiders in the Americas, comprising of around 20 species. These spiders are extremely popular as pets especially because of their vibrant coloration, docile temperament, and very high longevity.These tarantulas are arboreal (tree-dwelling). They spin intricate funnel webs in which they spend the majority of their lifetime.The spiderlings of this species spend most of the time with their mother until they are ready to separate and can independently hunt for their own food. The slings are metallic steel to bright blue with a black tree-trunk pattern on the abdomen. As they begin to age, they gradually lose their blue hue, getting their adult coloration.Although very docile and rarely bite, they do not prefer being handled much. Even if they bite, it is not poisonous and is no worse than a plain bee sting.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXpJjqEMBHfig5eD68 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-18T18:13:33.898737Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       An arthropod everyone hates - mosquitoes. The slender, elongated body of the adult is covered with scales as are the veins of the wings. Mosquitoes are also characterized by long, fragile-looking legs and elongated, piercing mouthparts. The feathery antennae of the male are generally bushier than those of the female. The males, and sometimes the females, feed on nectar and other plant juices. In most species, however, the females require the proteins obtained from a blood meal in order to mature their eggs. Different species of mosquitoes show preferences and, in many cases, narrow restrictions as to host animals.There are three important mosquito genera. Anopheles, the only known carrier of malaria, also transmits filariasis and encephalitis.The genus Culex is a carrier of viral encephalitis and, in tropical and subtropical climates, of filariasis. The genus Aedes carries the pathogens that cause yellow fever, dengue, Zika fever, and encephalitis.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXs8up0xSXj6AXvXQe by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-20T02:56:25.914664Z
       
       2 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 The Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing is the largest butterfly on the planet. Famous for its ability to grow up to 11 inches in wingspan, this magnificent creature also has an enthralling historical foundation. The Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae) was first discovered in 1906 by Albert Stewart Meek. The naturalist, who was employed by Walter (((Rothschild))) to seek out butterflies, recounted his discovery in Papua New Guinea in a 1913 book.Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing butterflies live in the rainforests of Papua New Guinea, an island off the northern coast of Australia.The orb-weaving spider and several types of small birds are the only natural enemies of the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing.  The pipevine plant that the larvae feed on is poisonous, so it is thought that the adult butterflies are also poisonous.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXtQrgInO68Ec2sm8W by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-20T17:52:15.943705Z
       
       3 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Found only in North America, the luna moth starts out as a very hungry caterpillar. Newly hatched, this caterpillar constantly munches on the leaves of walnut, hickory, sweet gum, and paper birch trees. After about a month of filling up on these plants, the caterpillar builds a cocoon. The insect lives inside for about three weeks, then emerges as a moth.The eye-catching critter is easily recognizable because of its wings. But that's not the luna moth’s only interesting feature. The insect doesn’t have a mouth or a digestive system. That's because it only lives for about a week after leaving the cocoon, and it doesn't ever eat.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXwBKXAzNgGCulqZbk by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-22T01:42:19.997567Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 The reason these moths are often dubbed as ‘Vampire Moths’ is because of their distinct proboscis than is used to puncture skin of animals and fruit alike and drain the inner fluid. Moths species of moths are no threat to humans and the same is true of the Vampire Moth’s as they are no believed to carry harmful diseases like other blood sucking insects such as mosquitoes.Only the males of the species drink blood and compared to a mosquito bite the Vampire Moths bite is more irritating and can be swore for a couple of hours before settling down. The reason the Vampire Moths bites are more ‘severe’ is likely because of the rocking motion that the moth uses to puncture the skin and unlike a mosquito there is no sucking involved, the Vampire Moth uses the animals own blood pressure to force the blood up its proboscis. These moths can even suck tears from the eyelids of cattle.This is a moth native to Japan, Korea, China as well as Malaysia.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXxY3JfyoTeaE33sWG by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-22T17:31:38.648810Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       TICKSWood ticks are highly colorful and pretty easy to recognize. They have grayish patterns on their bodies and males will have a mottled grey coloration along their backs. American dog ticks (wood ticks) are often mistaken for Deer ticks, which carry Lyme disease. The American dog tick does not carry Lyme disease.The American dog tick also has a wide, oval body with a flattened top. Females are generally larger than males, measuring about 5 mm long when not engorged (with blood), and 15 mm long and 10 mm wide when engorged. Males measure just 3.6 mm long when not engorged.Deer ticks (also called blacklegged ticks) are much smaller than Wood ticks and can be distinguished by their—you guessed it—black legs.Wood ticks are a three-host species of tick that goes through four distinct lifecycles: eggs, larvae, nymph, and adult. After hatching from its egg, a tick must feed on the blood of a host at every life stage in order to survive. The newly hatched tick is called a larva, or seed tick. Tick larvae have just six legs and are about 1/8 inch in size.Since ticks can’t jump, the larva must stand on blades of grass or perch on vegetation until a warm blooded mammal walks by, at which point it latches on. This behavior is called “questing,” and looks like the tick is trying to stand up to grab the sky. Once the larva has fed on its initial host, it will drop to the ground and molt into an eight-legged nymph.Nymphs then lie in wait until a second warm-blooded host wanders by, like a raccoon, possum, or other large animal. The nymph will then feed for a few days until it becomes engorged with blood. It again drops to the ground and molts into an adult tick.Adult ticks will hunt for a third and final host, preferring large animals like deer or dogs, where they will be able to feed, breed, drop off, and lay eggs. Once the female has laid a few thousand eggs she dies.
       
 (DIR) Post #AXxYvlXtPX92IbF5cW by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-22T17:41:29.177808Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       A tick "questing"
       
 (DIR) Post #AY1PmTvdYWef45MDtQ by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-24T14:17:48.472575Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       2 arthropods today due to missing yesterday - so it is the fire and ice bugs:Fire bugs, or fire beetles, appear in droves. And they are quite a nuisance. However, European fire bugs are not really harmful, in contrast to the thick-mouthed weevil, aphids, cherry vinegar flies, plum moths or slugs. Experts agree that fire bugs do not destroy plants. Therefore, it is not necessary to control them.Fire bugs do not have biting tools and therefore cannot gnaw plant parts. Instead, they use a type of proboscis to suck out fallen seeds and other plant debris.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Grylloblattidae, commonly known as the icebugs, or ice crawlers, is a family of extremophile (psychrophile) and wingless insects that live in the cold on top of mountains and the edges of glaciers. They belong, along with Mantophasmatidae (rock crawlers), to the order Notoptera. Grylloblattids are wingless insects mostly less than 3 cm long, with a head resembling that of a cockroach, with long antennae and having elongated cerci arising from the tip of their abdomen. They cannot tolerate warmth (most species will die at 10 °C) and many species have small distribution ranges.
       
 (DIR) Post #AY6dSW9hw8TNKR74a0 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-27T02:44:37.823564Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY🚨 Also known as lightning bugs, fireflies are beetles. Most fireflies are winged. That’s different from other light-producing insects of the same family, called glowworms. (Animals that produce light are called luminescent.)Fireflies mostly use their light to “talk” to other fireflies and find a mate. They have special organs under their abdomens that take in oxygen. Inside special cells, they combine the oxygen with a substance called luciferin to make light with almost no heat. They use this light, called bioluminescence, to light up the ends of their abdomen.Each firefly species has its own unique flashing pattern. When a male firefly wants to communicate with a female firefly, he flies near the ground while he flashes his light every six seconds. Once he’s near the ground, a female can more easily tell if he’s from the same species as she is. (Most female fireflies can’t fly.) She answers his flashes by turning on her lights. Then the male finds her.
       
 (DIR) Post #AY8PwxlipHEQcARADg by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-27T23:22:41.043281Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 Also known as “Calling crabs” occasionally, Fiddler Crabs are small arthropods belonging to the family of crabs.The term “fiddler” is used to refer to someone who plays the violin. One of the claws of the male Fiddler Crabs is much larger than the other one, held in front of their body just a fiddler holds his violin. This is why they have been named “fiddler”.Fiddler Crabs are known for walking sideways.Fiddler Crabs are among one of the smaller crab species, and live up to 2 years in captivity when they are taken good care of. However, in the wild, they can live up to the age of 7 years.The natural habitat of the Fiddler Crabs is the coastal region, which is why these little creatures can be found on all continents, except Antarctica.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYA1pCK0ETO0IuMNTE by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-28T18:01:47.010638Z
       
       2 likes, 2 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 The Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillar can be solid black with two rows of yellow dots or bright red and have sting- or spine-like growths all over the body. They live on plants species belonging to the genus Aristolochia. As a defensive adaptation, they draw aristolochic acid from the food plants they consume in order to protect themselves from predators by being poisonous when consumed by the latter. This stage lasts for 3 to 4 weeks.The Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly is a species of iridescent blue butterflies found in several parts of the Americas. They are mostly seen during the spring and the summer months in sunlit meadows and fields. Some species use the pipevine swallowtail as a template for mimicry.When the wings are open, the dorsal surface of the hindwings display an iridescent blue or blue-green hue, which is more prominent in males than in females. There is also a row of white spots parallel to the border of the tailed hindwings. When the wings are closed, the ventral side of the hindwings shows a submarginal row of seven circular orange spots in an iridescent blue field highlighted with white.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYE33B2gf92MydKWuW by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-30T16:34:21.623575Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Woops this was arthropod of the day yesterday I forgot to post it here The Indian red scorpion has been said to be the most lethal in the world. This tiny scorpion packs a huge punch. When stung, victims typically experience nausea, heart problems, discoloration of the skin, and, in more severe cases, pulmonary edema, an accumulation of fluid in the lungs.Pulmonary edema causes shortness of breath and could lead to death. The severity of these symptoms depends on the amount of venom received and the susceptibility of the victim. According to clinical studies, however, prazosin, a drug for hypertension that is often given in the event of scorpion stings, reduces the risk of mortality to 4%.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYEykt1CjOE1CocSem by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-31T03:20:56.744421Z
       
       6 likes, 3 repeats
       
       Probably the best known bee, the honeybee's honey has been used by humans for thousands of years. In the wild they live in wooded areas in large hives made of wax honeycombs. The queen lays eggs whilst the workers care for the young, almost like a giant bee nursery! Every year a new queen will either take the place of her mother, or she will leave to start a colony of her own. A single bee hive may contain as many as 50,000 individuals. In winter, the hive goes into survival mode: the drones are expelled, the workers huddle together to keep warm, and the larvae are fed on stores of pollen and honey. In spring, a new generation of bees emerges.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYGG4JDrQCi4MDLXKy by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-07-31T18:09:39.183140Z
       
       5 likes, 4 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨"Murder hornets" V. mandarinia is the largest hornet in the world. A female worker may grow to a length of nearly four centimeters (an inch and a half), and the insect has large biting mouthparts that enable it to decapitate its victims. Hornets are usually solitary hunters. But between late summer and fall, V. mandarinia workers may band together to conduct mass attacks on nests of other social insects, notably honeybees. This behavior even has a name: the slaughter and occupation phase. U.S. beekeepers supply billions of honeybees each year to help pollinate at least 90 agricultural crops. This gigantic, voracious predator has a quarter-inch stinger (6.35mm)! People are usually not the Japanese giant hornet's prey, but those who have felt its sting describe the pain as excruciating and very painful. Masato Ono, an entomologist at Tamagawa University, near Tokyo, said it's "like a hot nail through my leg."
       
 (DIR) Post #AYIKpLKeBVZwdv7ivA by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-01T18:12:23.732831Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The Picasso bug measures only 8 millimeters in length. And like everything in nature, the intricate patterns on the tiny insect’s shell are not there by chance, but are a warning to its predators; anyone who ventures to disturb these insects will smell the consequences. When they feel threatened, they emit a noxious odor that helps scare off predators.The Picasso bug lives mainly in tropical and subtropical Africa, so it can be found in countries such as Nigeria, Sudan, and Ethiopia, to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful insects in the world, revealing how intricate nature can be, regardless of its small size.This insect also goes by the alternate common name of the Zulu Hud Bug.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYKjJDaOKq9aWSBbMm by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-02T21:56:06.773724Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨With eight spindly yellow legs holding up what appears to be a big black dog’s head, the bunny harvestman is both terrifying and oddly cute. Although the bunny harvestman spider has eight legs as any spider would, it actually belongs to a different order of animals known as Opiliones — or as they’re commonly referred to, daddy longlegs.So while this creature looks like a spider and falls in the same Arachnida family, it is technically not a spider (though it’s widely referred to as such) and is instead a daddy longlegs.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYKk77jaMjuOqwHdFg by coolboymew@shitposter.club
       2023-08-02T22:05:00.528713Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho wtf, the local ones don't have these two horns thing
       
 (DIR) Post #AYKlOjL7u1EEMSnnPs by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-02T22:19:29.580071Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @coolboymew the bunny ear ones live in Equador in rainforests :nttwomanbunnyears:
       
 (DIR) Post #AYQcLOCL5n4S4K9Mg4 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-05T18:06:21.392277Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Arthropod of yesterday I forgot to post it here:The western pygmy blue (Brephidium exilis or Brephidium exile) is one of the smallest butterflies in the world and the smallest in North America. It has reached Hawaii, as well as the Persian Gulf, including eastern Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Males establish a territory in which they look for receptive females to mate with. After mating, females lay eggs on all parts of the host plant, oftenmost on the uppersides of leaves. The caterpillars eat all parts of the plant; host species include Pigweed (Chenopodium album), saltbush species (Atriplex), and others in the goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae). Adult imagos appear in July–September in the north, while it appears year round in South Texas. Adults feed on nectar only.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYQcPI3Vs5nqB1sjWC by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-05T18:07:04.112038Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Today's arthropod:At over 6 inches long, the Titan Beetle is the largest beetle in the world, and one of the largest insects that we know of. They have strong mandibles and sharp spines to help them defend themselves. While they are large and imposing, these beetles are not aggressive and only act in defense when threatened.Even though they are very large, adult Titan Beetles do not eat anything. They can fly but only do so for short bursts to conserve energy.They have curved mandibles at the front of their head, used to snap and bite. These mandibles are sharp and strong enough to bite people when they feel threatened. They aren’t naturally aggressive but do possess plenty of defensive mechanisms, including their bite, that they can use if they are threatened.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYTLx7kTaFVsJFP9Ci by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-07T01:46:49.864479Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨House crickets are distantly related to grasshoppers and were most likely introduced to the U.S. between 1950 and 2000 when they became the standard feeder insect for the pet and research industries. They are known for their loud chirping which is caused when males rub their front wings together to attract females.House crickets are omnivores. In nature, house crickets eat rotting leaves, rotting fruit, vegetables and insects. Once inside a home or other building, house crickets will feed on a variety of fabrics and wallpaper glue. House crickets prefer fabrics made of natural fibers like wool and silk.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYVTJZCBJ06DngvqDI by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-08T02:18:44.140857Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Phymateus viridipes Stal, aka Green Milkweed Locust or African Bush Grasshopper, belonging to the family Pyrgomorphidae (Gaudy Grasshoppers), is an African locust about 70 millimetres (2.8 in) long at maturity and capable of long migratory flights. Its body and forewings are green in colour while the hindwings are bright red and blue, presenting a striking appearance in flight.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYWmK3XaZi5aCZqsu8 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-08T17:26:23.994502Z
       
       6 likes, 5 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨The ghost crab is aptly named due to its nocturnal activity and sandy colouration, making the crab perfectly camouflaged into the beach backdrop. These crabs are found on sandy beaches and live in burrows. The narrower and shorter the burrow the smaller the crab. Their burrows serve a number of purposes: protection from predation, storage of their food, protection from drying out and other extreme weather conditions as well as a place to mate (although not all ghost crabs mate in burrows).Young crabs and female crabs create burrows with sand scattered everywhere, with young crabs preferring to create burrows nearer to the water, whilst male crabs have burrows with a neat mound of sand outside – the larger the crab the larger the mound. Males produce mating sounds, squeaking noises, in a variety of ways; by rubbing their right claw on their leg, by rubbing their legs together, or by using their gill chambers, which they keep moist with saltwater.After mating the females store thousands of eggs inside an abdominal flap. She will then venture into the sea when the eggs are ready to hatch. Since ghost crabs cannot swim the female will float upside down in the water allowing the eggs in her abdomen to breathe. Upon contact with saltwater the larvae are released and after two months return to land.The exoskeleton of a ghost crab is water tight, which prevents the crab from drying out in the arid and salty conditions on the beach. All ghost crabs have eye stalks with the males additionally having horns. These eyestalks enable the crab to see in any direction and can be stored in groves on their shells. The ghost crab’s eye sight is so good that they are able to catch insects’ mid-flight. They also have a well-developed sense of smell. They are very agile, capable of moving at 10mph, which makes them the fastest of all crustaceans.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYWoqxT0NWd6pQWaLQ by meso@the.asbestos.cafe
       2023-08-08T17:54:47.313215Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho i love this guy hes literally @RustyCrab
       
 (DIR) Post #AYYrQEXzSDp8A7iz32 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-09T17:33:00.272124Z
       
       4 likes, 3 repeats
       
       Earwigs are generally harmless bugs with a bad reputation. Despite what you may have heard, they are not known to climb into your ears, although there have been cases of earwigs being found in the ear. The name is inaccurate. The bug’s name comes from the Old English words ear wicga, which roughly translates to “ear wiggler” or “ear creature,” which is how the myth began about this type of insect crawling into your ears while you sleep. Even more disturbing, the mistaken belief held that once in the ear, these insects can tunnel into your brain and lay eggs there. This, too, is false. These bugs aren’t even interested in entering the human ear.The adult earwig is brownish-black and about three-quarters of an inch long. The male’s forceps are curved and the female's are straight. Earwigs have a tiny pair of rear wings that look like fans when they’re open. Even though it has wings, the insect isn’t big on flying.Looks are deceiving when it comes to earwigs. Their claw-like forceps, called cerci, can seem menacing at first glance. But they use their pincers for protection from other animals and to capture prey, not to pinch or bite people.All in all, earwigs aren’t dangerous. They don’t usually bite people or spread disease. But you could get pinched by their “claws” if you pick up an earwig. The pinch might hurt, but their pincers don’t have venom. But they can wreak havoc on gardens, fruit, and leaves and stunt the growth of young seedlings.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYYsowL6O5q6sx2bKq by FUCKINGWHOCARESDUDE@5dollah.click
       2023-08-09T17:48:37.093663Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho why does it look like its head is where its ass should be?
       
 (DIR) Post #AYYtr79JGfeuwd7rsW by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-09T18:00:16.337904Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @FUCKINGWHOCARESDUDE Think of it like how a scorpion has the stinger on the back. Here's a good video of it in action:https://youtu.be/PoorbmRoOms
       
 (DIR) Post #AYYu076QoGuVPI4RrU by FUCKINGWHOCARESDUDE@5dollah.click
       2023-08-09T18:01:37.465431Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho I like how it only seems to care about eating its leaf
       
 (DIR) Post #AYYxMVmK2xG0Ad2Ku0 by djsumdog@djsumdog.com
       2023-08-09T18:39:30.283912Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       I thought they used them to cut leaves and flowers, but I guess not. I use to have some in the top of my bee hive, but haven't seen them in a while ... bees probably finally took em out.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYZlTOdQ04j9kZLer2 by JAJAX@clubcyberia.co
       2023-08-10T04:01:01.065612Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho kinda fucked up there's only 12 of them, do they have individual names?
       
 (DIR) Post #AYZlbikL6qrURSYTHU by Inginsub@clubcyberia.co
       2023-08-10T04:02:27.695735Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @JAJAX @kho the seven dwarves' names, five with "Jr."
       
 (DIR) Post #AYZm2jDzRJEzkBImuG by Inginsub@clubcyberia.co
       2023-08-10T04:07:22.618663Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho fake myriapod
       
 (DIR) Post #AYbUGReUA3T6RG0QOe by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-10T23:57:38.990641Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       With its iconic orange and black markings, the monarch butterfly is one of the most recognizable species in North America. Monarchs are particularly remarkable because they migrate each year, flying from as far as Canada and across the United States to congregate at a few forested overwintering sites in the mountains of central Mexico and coastal California. These sites are an amazing phenomenon: thousands of monarchs cluster in the trees in California, and millions of monarchs drape large swathes of forest in Mexico.This butterfly is notorious for the beauty of its orange, white and black wings, its long migration, and its toxicity. The butterfly lays its eggs almost exclusively on milkweed plants, which are poisonous. As the caterpillar eats the leaves of the plant, it collects toxins called cardiac glycosides which persist mostly in the wings and the abdomen of the adult. Some clever predators seem to know this and avoid those parts of the butterfly. A monarch butterfly that feeds from butterfly weed, which is a popular plant people put in their gardens to attract butterflies also collects toxins.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYdCzUeESXnPu28dRw by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-11T19:53:31.611638Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Epimeria rubrieques sp. n., belonging to the cold water family Paramphithoidae, occurred relatively often in Agassiz and bottom trawls taken during several German Antarctic Expeditions into the eastern Weddell Sea since 1983. Although this species is very conspicuous because of its long mid-dorsal teeth, bright pink-red colour and large size (up to 70 mm), it has only been recorded in the Weddell Sea. The new species is compared to its closest relatives Epimeria macrodonta and E. similis, and an updated key to the 14 species of Antarctic Epimeria is provided. Observations on the general and feeding behaviour of living specimens of Epimeria rubrieques sp. n. in aquaria showed the species to be an ambush predator and a weakly motile epibenthic walker, which swims only rarely.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYgv8GJE7QrTUmBUrA by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-13T14:52:14.961047Z
       
       1 likes, 2 repeats
       
       Forgot to post it here again, but here is the arthropod of yesterday:The robber fly is a predator of almost all flying insects. It injects a fluid into its victims that breaks down the muscle tissue. A few species of the genus Promachus are serious pests of apiaries because they feed on bees. Each species has a characteristic habitat—e.g., tree trunk, foliage, grass, low plant, dead twig, gravel, or beach sand.Adults lay eggs in the soil or in plants. Eggs hatch into slender, shiny, white, legless larvae that develop through several stages before pupating. The life cycle usually requires more than one year to complete.Adults have piercing-sucking mouthparts. Adult robber flies perch on stems of low plants or other objects and attack prey in the air. They feed on bees, beetles, dragonflies, other flies, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, wasps, and other insects. Larvae live in the soil, in wood and other habitats, feeding on organic matter, other arthropods such as white grubs, beetle pupae and grasshopper egg masses, and they may be carnivorous.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYgvDoO4qP8kdR6EAy by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-13T14:53:15.679016Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       and the arthropod of today:Dermatobia hominis, commonly known as the human botfly, is a species of fly found in Central and South America. The genus name, Dermatobia, is derived from the Greek words derma, meaning "skin," and bios, meaning "life," referring to the fly's habit of laying its eggs on the skin of its host. The species name, hominis, is Latin for "human," referring to the fly's primary host species.It is a large fly, measuring up to 8 mm in length, with a yellowish-brown body and a black head. It is distinguished by its long, curved proboscis and its two pairs of wings. It is a parasite, laying its eggs on the skin of mammals, such as cattle, horses, and humans. The eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on the host's tissue. The larvae can live up to two months before dropping off the host and pupating in the soil. The adult fly lives for up to two weeks. The current population of Dermatobia hominis is unknown, but it is believed to be widespread in its range.After the eggs are laid by the female botfly, the larvae hatch after about six days, and rapidly penetrate the skin, even when the skin is intact and healthy. They can cause some symptoms such as: Formation of wounds on the skin, with redness and slight swelling on the region;Release of a yellowish or bloody fluid from the sores on the skin;Sensation of something stirring under the skin;Pain or intense itching at the wound site.https://youtu.be/NzwV7wvJVrc?t=52
       
 (DIR) Post #AYmznil1WXCRVM5RIW by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-16T13:12:46.696294Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF YESTERDAY 🚨 Scyllarides latus, the Mediterranean slipper lobster, is a species of slipper lobster found in the Mediterranean Sea and in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. It is edible and highly regarded as food, but is now rare over much of its range due to overfishing. Adults may grow to 1 foot (30 cm) long, are camouflaged, and have no claws. They are nocturnal, emerging from caves and other shelters during the night to feed on molluscs. As well as being eaten by humans, S. latus is also preyed upon by a variety of bony fish. Its closest relative is S. herklotsii, which occurs off the Atlantic coast of West Africa; other species of Scyllarides occur in the western Atlantic Ocean and the Indo-Pacific. The larvae and young animals are largely unknown. When confronted with a predator, S. latus has no claws or spines to repel the predator, and instead either clings to the substrate, or swims away with powerful flexion of the abdomen, or "tail-flips". Larger lobsters can exert a stronger grip than smaller ones, with a force of up to 150 newtons (equivalent to a weight of 15 kilograms or 33 pounds) required to dislodge the largest individuals.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYn82YNNCfEJHgblbs by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-16T14:45:10.056371Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Railroad worms – A species of glowworm beetle, the railroad beetle gets its name from the bioluminescence “windows” it has on its body. Female railroad worms have sections of their bodies, when they light up, are similar to train windows. Often the males of these species won’t be in larvae form, instead are adult beetles. The males have very elaborate, antennae, which they use to detect and follow the pheromones produced by the female.Ironically, the insect they are mistaken for is the same insect they prefer to eat, the millipede. To no surprise, these insects are welcomed into gardens because they help eat all of the garden pests. It is believed, their luminescence is used to deter nocturnal predators from eating them. A sign that they are unpalatable.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYrNro291YQqYiPopc by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-18T16:01:21.094572Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Wow I missed posting this here yesterday too!! I post them for my discord friends every day because they hold me accountable, but I forget to do it here I guess. Here is yesterday's arthropod:Adult fruit flies have the typical fly body plan — they’re just much smaller than many other fly species. The average adult is 0.12 inches long and 0.08 inches wide.Fruit flies undergo a complete metamorphosis throughout their life cycle. The stages of their life cycle include:     Eggs — these are most often laid on fruit     Larvae — also called maggots, they’re about 0.25 inches long and lack legs and functional eyes     AdultsIndividual insects only live for a maximum of three to four months.Fruit flies at all stages of development survive off of fruits. Adults also eat rotting plants. Freshly hatched larvae survive exclusively off of the food that they’re laid on. This is one of the main reasons they’re considered a common household pest.Fruit flies originated in certain parts of the tropics. Human activity has spread them to every continent except Antarctica. They prefer temperate climates where they can access plenty of water.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYrNvXWGMimQV1HdLc by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-18T16:02:01.582103Z
       
       2 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Today's arthropod:The giant isopod is one of the largest isopods in the world, and it can be any one of the 20 species of big isopods. These creatures are in the cold and deep waters in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. Giant isopods are closely related to decapods such as crabs and shrimps, which are found in the Bathynomus genus.It is the largest crustaceans and members of the isopod family. They are terrestrial crustaceans, much like the pill bugs. The resemblance is uncanny. These isopods are the ocean’s clean-up crew, and their large size is the result of the sea gigantism phenomenon.Giant isopods are different than your typical isopod because they grow quite large. Their size is the result of abyssal gigantism which makes them grow between 6.7 to 19.7 inches in size for super-giant isopods, and the giant isopods reach 6 inches in size. The Bathynomus giganteus is the largest of the species, reaching nearly 30 inches in size. The morphology resembles the woodlouse and pill bug. They have calcareous exoskeletons made of overlapping segments.They have large compound eyes that contain 4,000 facets and is separated on their head. The giant isopod has two pairs of antennae, and their first shell segments are fused to the head, which allows them to curl up into a ball that leaves their shell exposed as a form of protection against predators.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYumT0C1l8P7MLBfOK by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-20T07:21:07.445402Z
       
       2 likes, 2 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Even though their name implies that these little guys are bugs, they're not actually insects, but crustaceans. They're in the isopod (meaning same pod or foot) family and have seven pairs of legs that are all similar in size and shape. Roly-poly bugs also have three main body parts – head, thorax and abdomen – as well as simple eyes, uropods, a pair of prominent antennae, gills and lunglike adaptations. As terrestrial creatures related to marine animals, they need moisture to survive but cannot live submerged in water.Roly-poly bugs have many unique adaptations. They have an exoskeleton with plates. They may not be able to bite or sting, but many are able to roll up into a ball for protection and also use odor as a defense. Roly-polies have even shown social behaviors such as fighting over food and communicating by tapping with their antennae. They absorb water with food, through mouth parts or by capillary action through their uropods. These cold-blooded critters react strongly to humidity levels, light and temperature changes. They like dark, moist areas, and if left out in the sun, they perish.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYuvAno7y7O1JzP9f6 by mangeurdenuage@shitposter.club
       2023-08-20T08:58:38.691570Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho They're also good heavy metal recyclers.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYvcZRAPZx8sN5oyB6 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-20T17:04:56.974471Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 The daddy longlegs belongs to the order Opiliones. Unlike in spiders, the number of eyes of daddy longlegs, as well as body type, sex organs, and defensive mechanisms, are all different.In opilionids, the head, thorax, and abdomen are fused into one thoracic cavity. Spiders, of the order Araneae, have a distinct waist between the cephalothorax and the abdomen. Opilionids have just two eyes, compared to the usual eight in spiders.Daddy longlegs also do not produce silk, unlike spiders. They do not spin webs, and they do not use webs to capture prey. If you find a harvestman in a web, it does not live there. It probably would like to be rescued from the spider that is about to eat it.Daddy longlegs are not venomous. They do not have fangs, nor venom glands. Most spiders, with only a few exceptions, produce venom. They will voluntarily shed legs to get away from predators, but sadly a new appendage does not grow back if it is already full grown. There is some hope if it is in the nymph stage that the leg might grow back.Its legs are not just vital to locomotion, they are also nerve centers. Through its legs, the daddy longlegs may sense vibrations, smells, and tastes. Pull the legs off a harvestman, and you might be limiting its ability to make sense of the world.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYxn0pbmCayzqrF3p2 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-21T18:11:22.481189Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Giant water bugs—Kirkaldyia deyrolli—are mostly found in East Asia, Australia and the Americas. These bugs are some of the largest in the world (measuring up to fifteen centimeters long) and hunt small fish and amphibians. They are also known to consume snakes and turtles. They wait at the bottom of freshwater rivers and lakes for their prey. When a potential meal comes by, the giant water bug injects powerful digestive fluid into it so that the insides of the prey turn to liquid for easier ingestion. The bug has one of the most painful bites in the insect world.The male bugs take a very active role in reproduction. Around seven hundred eggs are laid on the male’s wings and remain there until they are ready to hatch. The giant water bug is used in Asian cuisine and it is a popular snack in Thailand. The pheromones it secretes are used in production of an expensive dipping sauce.
       
 (DIR) Post #AYxsLH2OQiI4U6G67M by dassauerkraut@shortstacksran.ch
       2023-08-21T18:22:03.672319Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho That is a very bizzare cuisinr choice, but its an interesting bug, not alot of very large insects like that around. (And probably for the better over all.)
       
 (DIR) Post #AYxsMdy4f2LDtJtLge by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-21T19:11:20.488518Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @dassauerkraut A popular snack!! Disgusting lol
       
 (DIR) Post #AYzZ62DJkiT3LvJAwq by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-22T14:44:52.029101Z
       
       2 likes, 2 repeats
       
       Looking at this butterfly it is easy to understand why it is called ‘The Emperor of India’. With its shimmering greens, bright yellows and delicate blacks, this rare butterfly is a visual delight. This magnificent butterfly is found along the Eastern Himalayas (West Bengal, Meghalaya, Assam, Sikkim and Manipur) in India. In these areas, it occurs at medium and higher elevations from 6000 to 10,000 feet in well-wooded terrain.It has a strong and fast flight. It usually flies at tree-top level but when there is strong morning sunlight it descends to sit on low vegetation. April to July is the period when it is in flight. Its eggs are laid on the underside of leaves and are pale purplish red in colour and smooth and spherical in shape.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZ1edgWNnc1a0W0j7Q by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-23T14:56:22.670552Z
       
       3 likes, 2 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Tailless Whip Scorpions are spiderlike in appearance.. Due in part to their nocturnal lifestyle and bizarre, frightening appearance, very little is known about this arachnid order. An Amblypygid , the Mexican tailless whip-scorpion was featured in the movie Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.The body of the Tailless whip-scorpion is is flat. It has ten legs, and its first legs are very long, thin and whip-like. This Amblyplygid’s pedipalps (pincer-bearing front arms adapted for sensory and predatory use) are spiny and powerful. Whip-scorpions found in the El Yunque National Forest can be quite large (19 to 25 inches/48 to 63 centimeters, including legs) when compared to those found in other tropical areas, possibly because there are no large mammal predators on the island. Adult females are larger than males.Whip-scorpions are nocturnal, emerging at night to hunt and kill their prey. They eat frogs, small animals, large insects and crustaceans. They capture prey by seizing and holding it with their pedipalps and then killing and eating it with their strong jaws. Although they are Arachnids, they do not have spinnerets (tubular structures used to secrete silk thread) and therefore do not spin webs. Whip-scorpions do not produce venom and are harmless to humans. Whip-scorpions fasten their pedipalps together when they are mating to prevent the female from killing and eating the male when mating is finished.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZ1elPsFZr86h2vSCm by coolboymew@shitposter.club
       2023-08-23T14:57:42.234216Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho what's the scorpion that shoots acid or something?
       
 (DIR) Post #AZ1eykwQYorNnUEy24 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-23T15:00:09.676300Z
       
       3 likes, 1 repeats
       
       @coolboymew it's a different whip scorpion - vinegaroon
       
 (DIR) Post #AZ1f3bWczs4W2dU76m by Kirino@seal.cafe
       2023-08-23T15:01:04.932423Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       That’s the Spider-Man villain
       
 (DIR) Post #AZ3zisXd1Tn25XpaVM by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-24T18:02:02.907877Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Few insects boast a truly gold-colored body. The Golden Tortoise Beetle is even more remarkable because it can actually change its coloring at will thanks to microscopic cavities in its cuticle that house pigmentation. The beetle's metallic sheen can be dulled, and that lovely gold can become brown. Upon death, the metallic glimmer fades. Like a tortoise, the body of the beetle is humped, or rounded, as if the wing coverings were actually a shell. The bottom edges of the beetle's eltyra are transparent, like glass.Adult tortoise beetles use some unique features to protect themselves from predators. They can cover themselves with their clear pronotum and elytra, which are flanged plate-like structures that extend beyond their oval-shaped bodies.  The hardened shell protects them much like a tortoise’s shell, hence the name tortoise beetle.  This feature makes it difficult for predators to capture them.  They can also evade predators by suddenly dropping off the leaf on which they are sitting.  It is an effective “disappearing act.”Fascinatingly, it also developed a very special relationship with certain flora. That’s because the unique invertebrate evolved to feed only on a specific family of plants, the Connolvulaceae. This family includes several species, including morning glories, bindweeds, and sweet potatoes. In fact, both the larvae and the adults feed on the foliage of these species exclusively. While not unknown, this characteristic remains uncommon enough to garner great interest among researchers. This case, therefore, makes for a rather fascinating example of coevolution.In the attached video you can see it change color. When a golden tortoise beetle is agitated or under attack from a predator, it contracts the spaces between the layers of cuticle and forces liquid out of the grooves — doing away with the iridescence and usually revealing a brownish-orange color.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZ63hmCvsHdQHtngy8 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-25T17:56:06.322623Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Black Horse Flies are about an inch long, making them highly visible and somewhat intriguing to watch. They are fast fliers despite their hefty size. Females feed on blood, and they are not averse to taking it from anything that has it. Their mouth parts cut open flesh, allowing blood to ooze out. They use a proboscis to sponge up the blood, leaving behind an open wound. These wounds can become infected, which poses a threat to livestock health. They are also very painful bites for humans. Males do not bite and do not drink blood. Males actually drink flower nectar and spend their days looking for females to mate with.Males and females are both completely black, but males have huge eyes that touch each other at the center of the face; the eyes of females are separated. It's the size of the eyes that strikes curiosity in most people that see them. The color of the eyes may vary depending on the lighting. Facets comprising each eye reflect light, so sometimes their eyes appear black, sometimes silver (see photo gallery) and sometimes shades of their surroundings.This species is found in the eastern part of the continent. Females lay fertilized eggs on or near water sources. Maggots (larvae) feed on other aquatic insects and worms. Chemicals, home remedies, and special collars exist as methods used to deter the presence of Horse Flies, especially in stables. ©InsectIdentification.org
       
 (DIR) Post #AZAJ3IZD2BxsfrmRzU by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-27T19:06:55.091087Z
       
       2 likes, 2 repeats
       
       Had limited internet service yesterday, but here was yesterday's arthropod:Fire ants, aka Solenopsis spp, are dark reddish brown. Their head is lighter than their abdomen, and their size ranges from 1/8-3/8 inch in length. The queen is longer than the workers. They generally possess two segment antennal clubs.These ants have a painful sting which can cause a raised welt. A white pustule appears, which lasts for 48 hours. Notably, their stings react severely to the people who are allergic to insects.Fire ants are found in southern parts of the United States. These ants make their nests outdoors and near buildings, making them agricultural and urban pests. They can enter through holes and cracks to invest in the structure. Their nests can usually be found near logs.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZAJ5jiJ4fxnRoCLdQ by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-27T19:07:21.543517Z
       
       8 likes, 7 repeats
       
       Today's arthropod:The Cyanide millipede—Harpaphe haydeniana—is the chemist of the arthropod world. This millipede produces hydrogen cyanide (HCN) to hunt prey and to protect itself against any threats. This lethal substance has proved very effective and as a result of this adaptation, the millipede has very few natural predators.Storing HCN is extremely complex. If it is stored at room temperature, it could harm the millipede. So instead of storing this substance, the cyanide millipede stores two other chemicals, (mandelonitrile and benzoyl cyanide) in various segments of its body. When it needs to release the cyanide, chambers open and the different chemicals mix. The gas is ejected from millions of pores around the body at its prey or in defense against a predator. The millipede produces up to 0.6 milligrams of HCN, which can kill mice, predatory beetles and stun larger predators.The millipede is found on the west coast of North America from California to British Columbia and grows to five centimeters in length.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZARXeTuv6HcxiI1Tc by Humpleupagus@eveningzoo.club
       2023-08-27T20:42:01.864320Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       I see one every now and then.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZARshNJMDPK18EfrM by Frondeur@poa.st
       2023-08-27T20:45:50.676556Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho very cool...
       
 (DIR) Post #AZASuOBpl3eZ36EljE by Red_Hat@nicecrew.digital
       2023-08-27T20:57:21.470383Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Ah the Roofie Beatle
       
 (DIR) Post #AZAYl9Rlnn9wRXfZbM by LivingSpaceStudios@poa.st
       2023-08-27T22:02:55.156158Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho Fuck that.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZCJ9dsX6EacpClPc0 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-28T18:17:29.263167Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Camel spiders, which aren’t spiders at all, are creatures swirled in myth, legend, and viral fame. There are over 1,000 different species of camel spiders. These creatures are actually different members of the arachnid family, in the order Solifugae, but are neither spiders or scorpions. They are also known as “solifuges,” “sun spiders,” and “wind scorpions.”The largest species of solifugae family can reach up to 6 in. long, including legs. They superficially resemble spiders, but appear to have five pairs of legs. In reality, the first “legs” are actually pedipalps, which are small extensions near the mouth that are used to aid in feeding. These creatures have incredibly long mouthparts, called chelicerae. Each chelicera has a crab-like pincer on the end, which is used for tearing hair and feathers from carrion.Depending on the species, some camel spiders are carnivores and some are omnivores. The vast majority of species prey on termites, beetles, and other insects and arthropods. Larger species will feed on larger prey. As opportunistic feeders they will eat virtually anything they can capture. Some uncommon but recorded prey includes snakes, small rodents, lizards, and more.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZEPCFU3FA8y4jrITA by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-29T18:34:36.650309Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       :rotating_light: ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY :rotating_light: The horseshoe crab, scientifically known as Limulus polyphemus, is a unique marine animal that has been around for more than 450 million years. Despite its ancient origins, the horseshoe crab plays a crucial role in modern biomedical research.The horseshoe crab has unique blue blood that contains a substance called Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL). LAL is used to test for bacterial contamination in medical equipment, vaccines, and injectable drugs. The horseshoe crab’s blood contains a clotting agent that reacts to the presence of bacterial endotoxins. This reaction is used to determine if a product is contaminated with bacteria, making LAL an essential tool in the fight against bacterial infections.The horseshoe crab’s blood is also used to study the immune system. The amebocytes, or white blood cells, of the horseshoe crab have been found to have similar properties to the white blood cells of vertebrates. This has led to the study of the horseshoe crab’s immune system as a model for understanding the human immune system.Despite their name and appearance, horseshoe crabs aren’t crabs. In fact, they aren’t crustaceans at all and are actually arthropods in the subphylum Chelicerata. This means they are more closely related to sea spiders, scorpions, and other arachnids than to the crustaceans whose name they share.Along with numerous eyes, horseshoe crabs also have several legs numbering 10 in total. Five of the pairs, or pedipalps, are used for locomotion. In the males, the pedipalps change over time and eventually become glove-shaped so as to help them better hold on to females during mating.  Like other arthropods, the front two legs, or chelicerae, or smaller and are specially designed to help the crabs move food into the mouth. Although they appear rather clumsy on land, horseshoe crabs can move rather freely in the water. They possess a flap-like structure next to the abdomen known as book gills that allow them to breathe underwater. However, these gills also provide another benefit: the ability to swim upside-down. These underwater acrobatics demonstrate that there’s more to horseshoe crabs than meets the eye. Also the Pokemon, Kabuto, is based on the horseshoe crab: "Kabuto is said to still exist in the Pokémon world’s present day, suggesting that it's partially inspired by another group of arthropods called the limulids, or horseshoe crabs, which is called kabutogani in Japanese. "
       
 (DIR) Post #AZEPHhADkz7BN7BEUC by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-29T18:35:35.739908Z
       
       2 likes, 1 repeats
       
       The horseshoe crab, scientifically known as Limulus polyphemus, is a unique marine animal that has been around for more than 450 million years. Despite its ancient origins, the horseshoe crab plays a crucial role in modern biomedical research.The horseshoe crab has unique blue blood that contains a substance called Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL). LAL is used to test for bacterial contamination in medical equipment, vaccines, and injectable drugs. The horseshoe crab’s blood contains a clotting agent that reacts to the presence of bacterial endotoxins. This reaction is used to determine if a product is contaminated with bacteria, making LAL an essential tool in the fight against bacterial infections.The horseshoe crab’s blood is also used to study the immune system. The amebocytes, or white blood cells, of the horseshoe crab have been found to have similar properties to the white blood cells of vertebrates. This has led to the study of the horseshoe crab’s immune system as a model for understanding the human immune system.Despite their name and appearance, horseshoe crabs aren’t crabs. In fact, they aren’t crustaceans at all and are actually arthropods in the subphylum Chelicerata. This means they are more closely related to sea spiders, scorpions, and other arachnids than to the crustaceans whose name they share.Along with numerous eyes, horseshoe crabs also have several legs numbering 10 in total. Five of the pairs, or pedipalps, are used for locomotion. In the males, the pedipalps change over time and eventually become glove-shaped so as to help them better hold on to females during mating.  Like other arthropods, the front two legs, or chelicerae, or smaller and are specially designed to help the crabs move food into the mouth. Although they appear rather clumsy on land, horseshoe crabs can move rather freely in the water. They possess a flap-like structure next to the abdomen known as book gills that allow them to breathe underwater. However, these gills also provide another benefit: the ability to swim upside-down. These underwater acrobatics demonstrate that there’s more to horseshoe crabs than meets the eye. Also the Pokemon, Kabuto, is based on the horseshoe crab: "Kabuto is said to still exist in the Pokémon world’s present day, suggesting that it's partially inspired by another group of arthropods called the limulids, or horseshoe crabs, which is called kabutogani in Japanese. "
       
 (DIR) Post #AZGIRifmgqk1aKhF4a by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-30T16:28:23.666859Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Pterochroza ocellata, the peacock katydid, is an insect in the family Tettigoniidae from the Amazon rainforest in South America. The species is a leaf-mimic katydid; when it is in repose its camouflage resembles a diseased or dead leaf. The katydid owes both its common name and its specific epithet (ocellata, meaning "marked with little eyes") to its startle display, in which it shows false eye spots on its normally hidden hind wings. The adult Pterochroza ocellata is about 45mm to 65mm in length. In its protective camouflage it resembles a dried leaf. If in spite of its camouflage it is threatened, the katydid exposes its hind wings, displaying two conspicuous eye spots.No two individual Pterochroza ocellata are identical in their color pattern or the shape of the wings; this reduces the risk that predators could learn to recognize a fixed visual pattern. As in all katydids, their organs of hearing, or tympana, are on their front legs just below the joint between the femur and the tibia. The antennae are long, even for Tettigoniidae, being two to three times the length of the body.As in most Tettigoniidae, the male attracts females with a high-pitched call, which it produces by rubbing one fore-wing over a scraper on the other fore-wing. This sound has been suggested to double as interference for the echolocation of bats, one of its many natural predators.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZIhvjMJafX9ZPuu3s by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-08-31T20:23:21.949834Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Seeing the dark-edged bee-fly hover in mid-air, some people describe it as a tiny, fluffy, flying narwhale. It has a hairy little body and face, and a very long, straw-like tongue.At a glance, it's easy to mistake one for a bee. But these small fluffy creatures buzzing around looking for nectar are actually flies. And they have a fascinating lifestyle.This is the most common bee-fly species in the UK. It is widespread across England, Wales and Scotland, occurring in urban gardens and city parks as well as in woodland and coastal areas. It is one of the earliest bee-flies to emerge. Having pupated over winter, dark-edged bee-flies usually start to appear in March, but people sometimes report sightings as early as mid-February after unseasonally warm and sunny days - they don't usually fly in temperatures less than 17oC. When they aren't whizzing from flower to flower, these sunseekers will often sunbathe on bare ground or dead leaves.While adult bee-flies are adorable, a young bee-fly isn't quite as endearing. The larva is a parasitoid, meaning it is a parasite that will end up killing its host. When the eggs hatch, the bee-fly larvae are very active. They have false legs that they use to enter the burrow of the bees and they have been known to stuff their faces with all the pollen left for the bee babies. Then they go through a second metamorphosis, called hyper-metamorphosis, which is very rare in the insect world.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZKchHD9KsHUlKq1Pk by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-01T18:34:09.074360Z
       
       4 likes, 3 repeats
       
       The breathtaking Claudina Butterfly is a truly dazzling Lepidoptera. Although best known for its great visual appeal, it also qualifies as impressive for yet another reason. That’s the fact that, along with that beauty, the creature also attains a highly respectable physical size. Total wingspan varies significantly between individuals, as with many related species. In its case, however, that variation has nothing to do with gender. Overall, though, a wingspan for a mature adult varies from about 2.8 – 4.7 in (7 – 12 cm). That’s quite large for a butterfly.The upperside of the wings of this natural wonder present a magnificent view. More precisely, these typically present as dark black, with brilliant crimson red patches showing on the forewings. The fascinating insect also generally manifests small patches of blue. The underside of the wings of the Claudina Butterfly, though, are quite different than the upperside. This part of the anatomy of the invertebrate presents a striking combination of colors and patterns. Overall, though, the colors include red, blue, black, and gold.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZKfWiEeorPVFoCJN2 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-01T19:05:51.451422Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Also - did you know butterflies have tongues?
       
 (DIR) Post #AZMRQUiFApqoXB64no by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-02T15:37:16.910170Z
       
       5 likes, 7 repeats
       
       Agrius convolvuli, the convolvulus hawk-moth, is a large hawk-moth. It is common throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, partly as a migrant. Its favourite time is around sunset and during the twilight, when it is seen in gardens hovering over the flowers. This moth is very attracted to light, so it is often killed by cars on highways. Its caterpillars eat the leaves of the Convolvulus, hence its Latin name "convolvuli". Other recorded food plants include a wide range of plants in the families Araceae, Convolvulaceae, Leguminosae and Malvaceae. It can be a pest of cultivated Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato or kūmara) in New Zealand and the Pacific. It feeds on the wing and has a very long proboscis (longer than its body) that enables it to feed on long trumpet-like flowers such as Nicotiana sylvestris.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZOk2Z1wmQSBmMXU5w by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-03T18:15:16.772279Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The pea aphid is a pest of legume crops including, peas, clovers, and alfalfa. Heavy populations may develop when insecticides used to kill other alfalfa pests and with little to no activity against aphids kill the predators and parasites of this aphid.Pea aphid is about 1/6 inch (4 mm) long and ranges in color from light to dark green. Prolonged periods of cool temperatures [50°F to 60°F (10°C to 15.5°C)] and dry conditions are conducive to the development of pea aphid populations.Up to twenty generations develop during the season. The entire life cycle takes about 12 days. Populations can increase rapidly since each female can produce 50 to 100 nymphs.You might not think much about pea aphids, but it turns out they've got skills enough to get aerospace engineers excited. A report in the February 4th issue of Current Biology shows that the insects can free fall from the plants they feed on and—within a fraction of a second—land on their feet every time. Oftentimes, the falling aphids manage to cling to a lower part of the plant by their sticky feet on the way down, avoiding the dangerous ground altogether.That's despite the fact that most aphids in a colony are wingless and have no special body surfaces to turn themselves right-side up. Rather, high-speed video analysis shows that they hold their bodies and limbs in a special posture, which allows them to passively rotate and then stay in a back-up, feet-down position.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZQdgHjYCIbKM2qbXk by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-04T16:13:26.716081Z
       
       4 likes, 2 repeats
       
       True velvet mites are small, velvety, usually bright red mites often seen creeping around on rocks, planters, tree trunks, or on the ground, especially after a rain. They are harmless to people.Like most other arachnids, the adults of true velvet mites have eight legs, which readily distinguishes them from insects, which have six legs. However, in their tiny, larval stage, velvet mites have six legs — but you will probably only see them attached to an insect or other arthropod.Also, true velvet mites, like other mites, have only one obvious body section; the mouthparts look like they’re stuck onto the overall egg-shaped body. In contrast, insects have three body parts (head, thorax, and abdomen) and spiders have two (cephalothorax and abdomen).True velvet mites and their relatives begin as eggs, which hatch into a form called a prelarva, which molts into successive larval, nymphal (protonymph, deutonymph, tritonymph), and adult forms. Several of these stages are inactive: the egg, the prelarva, the protonymph, and the tritonymph, the latter two being something like the pupae of insects. The stages that are active are the larval stage, where the mite is an external parasite on insects or arachnids, and the deutonymph and adult stages, which are free-living. The adults eat the eggs of insects, or insects. The adults mate and produce eggs for the next generation.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZTLs8ehJ4pwD5Qrsu by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-05T23:38:01.632826Z
       
       5 likes, 5 repeats
       
       The tongue-eating louse—Cymothoa exigua—is one of the most disgusting parasites known to man. The louse is found in the Gulf of California and enters its host (the spotted rose snapper) through the fins. Several male lice enter the fish at once and then one of these will develop into a female. The female will then travel to the host’s mouth where it attaches to the base of the tongue. The organ’s blood supply is cut off, causing it to die and detach.Now the parasite acts as the fish’s tongue by binding to the remaining muscle. It feeds off the host’s blood and also algae and mucus that it collects in its mouth. And what about the other lice? Well, they remain in the fish’s gill chamber and may occasionally leave their new home to mate with the female. The host fish is able to live with the parasite for years and apart from the obvious damage to the tongue, it remains relatively unharmed. The tongue-eating louse is the only known parasite that replaces an organ of its host.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZTMBw4fnBg0yy1RDs by anonaccount@poa.st
       2023-09-05T23:41:36.519101Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The wonders of nature.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZTa3YeEPFfdMsYNzE by thadius@noagendasocial.com
       2023-09-06T02:16:57Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho kill it with fire
       
 (DIR) Post #AZUuCgNpCxvqCrT4pk by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-06T17:37:25.588884Z
       
       6 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Pea crabs (Pinnotheres ostreum) or oyster crabs (Zaops ostreus) are small soft-bodied crabs that live in bivalves such as oysters and mussels. They are kleptoparasites, which means they steal food from their host to survive. Once they enter an oyster, they live inside the oyster's gills and feed on the food that filters in. Since both crabs behave similarly, we will refer to both generally as "pea crabs."Pea crabs find their oyster hosts very early on when both are still larvae. The crabs spawn a month after the oysters, which allows them to find oyster spat settled out of the water column. Pea crabs are free-swimming in the early stages to seek out their oyster hosts, but males remain free-swimming for life to find mates from oyster to oyster. Once female larvae find their hosts, they remain there until maturity and lay their eggs inside. That's why you may find more than one pea crab in an oyster.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZWo5QAwrIg8VGWFdo by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-07T15:38:16.343087Z
       
       4 likes, 3 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨The Spiny Flower Mantis- This species of flower mantis is white with green stripes on the legs. The eyes are purple, depending on the light conditions this can vary from lilac to deep purple. As nymphs these mantids have an orange spot on the upside of the abdomen which scares away predators by mimicking an eye. As adults they have wings with a black and yellow ‘swirl’ on them, also mimicking an eye. If you threaten a spiny flower mantis, it will put its wings upwards to show the two eyes. The thinner wings that are under the top wings are bright yellow. The spiny flower mantis is very beautiful and spectacular.This species is cannibalistic, like most species of praying mantis. It will eat anything that moves and is the correct size, also members of its own species or family members.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZZ8SPpeWj5fknVSMa by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-08T18:35:57.301499Z
       
       2 likes, 2 repeats
       
       Common scorpionflies (Panorpidae) is the largest family of scorpionflies, and it is only this family that has the upturned scorpion-like genitalia or 'tail' that gives the order its name. They are brownish yellow and black insects with mottled wings and are found among shaded vegetation and in hedgerows.They feed on dead or dying insects (including any they might spot in a spider's web) and are also partial to ripe fruit and, when it's available, human sweat.The adults look somewhat scary but are in fact quite harmless. Common scorpionfly larvae mostly live in soil and look like caterpillars, having eight pairs of feet and sometimes spines.Panorpid males attract females by vibrating their wings, and may let them feed on their saliva while mating.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZbKK44TINlvzvoEF6 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-09T19:58:21.440303Z
       
       5 likes, 3 repeats
       
       According to Atlas Obscura, gooseneck barnacles got their name centuries ago when medieval naturalists stumbled upon these claw-like sea creatures and thought they were goose eggs. They witnessed the crustaceans fall into the water and believed baby geese emerged fully formed from the dislodged barnacles.Barnacles are classified with shrimps, crabs, isopods and amphipods in the subphylum Crustacea. They are included in the class Maxillopoda, though this class does not appear to be a monophyletic grouping.[3] They are included in the infraclass Cirripedia, the barnacles, members of which are sessile suspension feeders with two active swimming larval stages, the nauplius and the cyprid. The order Pedunculata includes barnacles attached to the substrate by stalks, the goose barnacles. The attachment is made by the cementing of the antennules of the cyprid larvae to the substrate and the elongation of that region into a stalk. Pedunculata is not itself a single monophyletic group but forms a transitional series of lineages moving towards the sessile acorn barnacles.This seafood is among the most expensive in the world and can go for as much as $125 a pound. Toronto Life reports that in Europe, a kilogram of gooseneck barnacles could yield $500. Their price is related to a limited supply and the risk a fisherman must face to obtain this delicacy.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZdCU5SKahCNs69o8m by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-10T17:39:57.122625Z
       
       4 likes, 3 repeats
       
       Duff millipedes are only rarely observed in natural settings because of their minute size and coloration that blends well with their background. However, periodically duff millipedes will migrate into buildings where they may attract considerable attention. Large numbers of them may show up, sometimes abruptly. Largest invasions of duff millipedes tend to occur most often during hot, dry periods of summer. However, they may be present in homes from the middle of spring into autumn. They feed on algae, fungi and decaying organic matter. Tree bark is the most common location for most duff millipedes (Figure 3) but they also may occur among fallen leaves and needles and even have been associated with debris within ant nests. Egg fertilization is indirect with the male spinning a small silken mat upon which sperm is deposited. Silk strands guide females which then gather the sperm into their genital opening. The females then lay eggs in the form of a sticky mass that are covered with protective hairs of the body.Unlike most millipedes the body of duff millipedes is not hardened (calcified) and they lack chemical defenses. Instead they protect themselves by means of the hairs that protrude from the tip of the abdomen. These are hooked and can readily detach when the duff millipede is attacked by an ant, pseudoscorpion or other predator. Attempts to remove the hairs only further entangle the predator and ants may die from an encounter with the hairs of the duff millipede. The hairs are replaced at the next molt and their loss may accelerate the onset of molting.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZfGlVHwaVPZ2rmM3U by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-11T17:37:20.524115Z
       
       3 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨The Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria fera) is an aggressive and highly venomous spider. It was first discovered in Brazil hence its name. However, this genus is known to exist elsewhere in South and Central America.The Brazilian wandering spider can grow to have a leg span of up to 4 – 5 inches. They are large hairy spindly-looking spiders who have eight eyes, two of which are large. Brazilian wandering spiders are fast-moving spiders, their legs are strong and spiny and they have distinctive red jaws which they display when angered.The Brazilian Wandering spider is so-called because it wanders the jungle floor, rather than residing in a lair or maintaining a web. This is another reason it is considered so dangerous. In densely populated areas, the Brazilian Wandering spider will usually search for cover and dark places to hide during daytime, leading it to hide within houses, clothes, cars, boots, boxes and log piles. This usually causes accidents when people disturb them.The Brazilian Wandering spider is also called the ‘banana spider’ as it is occasionally found within shipments of bananas. As a result, any large spider appearing in a bunch of bananas should be treated with due care.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZhqI2ftsY0YZO9gCO by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-12T23:24:46.699694Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Paper wasps manufacture paper for their nests from tiny fibers exfoliated from exposed, weathered wood. Paper wasps use their mandibles to compress wood fibers into thin sheets, which they use as nest and covering cells. except for the paper wasp, where the cells are not enclosed. Nests built this way are structurally resilient and relatively weather resistant. Inside the nest, the cells along the perimeter are roughly circular, while the inner cells are more hexagonal. The number of cells within a nest depends on the colony size. Nests are usually arranged with the opening facing the bottom or bottom. Paper wasp and Polyvia nests typically contain only one layer of cells. Once a dominance hierarchy is established within a new colony, the queen bee is responsible for most of the egg laying and subordinates are responsible for caring for the offspring. Worker bees take care of the chicks and are also responsible for growing the nest. The difference between workers and females is that females are produced only in the late stages and workers emerge throughout the reproductive period. In addition, hens are inactive in the nest. Ginkgoes mate before overwintering and, if successful, become spawners for the following season. Most of the Polistes workers remain in their natal nests and work as helpers. In all but a few species of paper wasps, the female emerges mid-season and acts as a helper until the queen is gone. Significant differences in aid are found among casters of various species of paper wasps. Within Nest, we can see that co-founders are more than 50% related. The degree of relationship between the co-founders may explain the advantage of joining the Nest as a subordinate rather than developing another Nest that is less likely to succeed. Minions provide labor to care for the dominant Founder's descendants, reducing the Founder's mortality rate by taking over the more dangerous gathering work.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZjCVUj5HvFvU3QM9Q by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-13T15:08:28.483336Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Alipes grandidieri, most commonly known as the feather-tail centipede, is a species of centipede. It is a member of the genus Alipes and the family Scolopendridae. The genus, Alipes, means "wing-leg". It was first described from Zanzibar, as Eucorybas Grandidieri [sic] by Hippolyte Lucas in 1864.It has distinctive, elongated ultimate legs with laterally-flattened pads on the distal portions, resembling feathers. When threatened they will shake these legs and make a hissing sound. The body is 10–15 cm long.If you are bitten by a Feather-Tail Centipede, prepare for the following consequences (we warn you, they are not deadly). Stings can be extremely painful and take a long time (1-2 days) to heal. The main symptoms that can be revealed right after the sting are a sharp and persistent pain; it can be insignificant or be a 10 on a scale of the pain of 1 to 10.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZlIaL6F9QdwIIRjPs by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-14T15:26:00.184918Z
       
       8 likes, 0 repeats
       
       
       
 (DIR) Post #AZnmC6M7hd4MYe9Vrs by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-15T20:07:11.597722Z
       
       3 likes, 3 repeats
       
       Crap I forgot to post this here again --- Arthropod of yesterday!!Fen Raft Spider -Also known as the Great Raft spider, this European species is found mostly in the United Kingdom.According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, this species is vulnerable because there are only three populations of the Fen spider known in Suffolk, East Sussex, and near Swansea. Great Raft spiders are among Britain’s largest, colored in brown or black with creamy or yellow bands along the abdomen. They have hairy legs to help them move along the surface of the water and can use them to catch fish and tadpoles.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZnmGJfIA4U4zg80Tw by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-15T20:07:57.453898Z
       
       2 likes, 2 repeats
       
       Athropod of today!!!!!!!Water strider legs are covered in thousands of microscopic hairs scored with tiny groves. As reported in National Geographic, “These groves trap air, increasing water resistance of the water’s striders legs and overall buoyancy of the insect.”The water skipper’s legs are so buoyant they can support fifteen times the insect’s weight without sinking. Even in a rainstorm, or in waves, the strider stays afloat.If a water strider’s legs go underwater, it’s very difficult for them to push to the surface.Their legs are more buoyant than even ducks’ feathers. The strider’s legs do more than repel water; they’re also configured to allow efficient and rapid movement across the surface.As with all insects, the water strider has three pairs of legs. The front legs are much shorter, and allow the strider to quickly grab prey on the surface. The middle legs act as paddles. The back legs are the longest and provide additional power, and also enable the strider to steer and “brake.”The buoyancy and paddling legs allows striders to be fast. Very, very fast. The National Geographic article reports striders are capable of “speeds of a hundred body lengths per second. To match them, a 6-foot-tall person would have to swim at over 400 miles an hour.”
       
 (DIR) Post #AZnmwBZMeQEy33Jveq by mu@thebag.social
       2023-09-15T20:15:24.756751Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       First sighted in Wet-Dry World in 1996.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZoBB1BTxj3b7a3tL6 by icedquinn@blob.cat
       2023-09-16T00:47:06.678867Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho spooders are weird little genomesthey like to fly with electrostatic shenanigans too
       
 (DIR) Post #AZpwrqWoLYlPWnvDuq by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-16T21:16:11.995307Z
       
       2 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Owlflies are one of the "ugly ducklings" of insects. The grotesque larvae are voracious predators in leaf litter and on trees. They sit and wait for prey to stray in between their oversize mandibles, seizing them and feeding on the body liquids within. The adults are elegant strong-flying insects which are sometimes confused with dragonflies.Adult owlflies can be distinguished from other lacewings and similar insects by the long antennae (almost as long as the wing length) which have a large often bi-coloured club at the tip. As with most other lacewings the wing veins fork where they meet the margin of the wing.Larvae are similar to antlion larvae, but are usually more flattened, and do not build pits to capture prey. The sides of the larval body have finger-like lateral processes on both thorax and abdomen. The mandibles have more than one large tooth on the inner margin.Both adults and larvae are predators. Adults hawk flying insects in much the same way that dragonflies do. Larvae are sit and wait predators of many invertebrates, although they will move in response to nearby movement of potential prey to assist in prey capture.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZrilEyZaDcNPw8yjg by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-17T17:47:33.915487Z
       
       4 likes, 4 repeats
       
       :rotating_light: ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY :rotating_light: The Goliath birdeater is the king of spiders. Weighing up to six ounces and with a leg span of nearly a foot, this tarantula is the largest arachnid on the planet.Goliaths don’t usually eat birds, but they are big enough to be able to—and occasionally they do. “Birdeater” came from an 18th-century engraving that showed another kind of tarantula eating a hummingbird, which gave the entire Theraphosa genus the name birdeater.Insects make up most of the Goliath diet, but frogs and rodents are on the menu too. Goliaths prowl the Amazon in northern South America. When a Goliath pounces on a mouse, for example, its inch-long fangs act like hypodermic needles, pumping neurotoxins into the hapless prey. The spider then drags the dying animal back to its burrow and begins the digestion process. Spiders can’t ingest solid material, so they first liquefy the prey’s insides, then suck it dry.Unlike jumping spiders, Goliath birdeaters have bad eyesight. They rely instead on modified leg hairs, sensitive to vibration, to warn them of danger. If a predator like a coati gets too close, the Goliath has an unusual weapon: harpoon-shaped hairs (called urticating hairs) tipped with stinging barbs. The spider rubs its legs together, launching a shower of miniature missiles into the air. The hairs connect with the would-be assailant’s eyes and skin, sending it scurrying.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZuPVCaYGTlJvIhdQm by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-19T00:55:51.387291Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Pyrops candelaria (Laternaria candelaria and Fulgora candelaria in older literature) is a species of planthopper often placed in the tribe Laternariini. This species has been recorded from: Guangdong, Guangxi, Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Laos, Thailand and other parts of southeast Asia. It is the type of the genus Pyrops erected by Spinola in 1839. Like all Fulgoridae, P. candelaria feeds on plant sap: including longan and lychee trees (Sapindaceae), among others. Its long, slender proboscis is used to pierce tree bark to reach the phloem.Members of this genus are sometimes called lanternflies (although lanternflies do not emit light) because of their notable 'cephalic process'. They are often sought-out by collectors, attracted by their fore wings, yellow-orange hind wings with a black zone around the wing tips, a reddish head and cephalic process with white spots.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZvsaOLeeOJwfA0FgO by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-19T17:56:29.704989Z
       
       1 likes, 2 repeats
       
       Ghost shrimp are appropriately named because they are totally transparent, and they are sometimes called Glass shrimp. Despite their shrimp-like appearance, they are actually more closely related to crabs. Though they are small, reaching up to three to four inches, Ghost shrimp can dig burrows that can be four feet deep. They are an important part of intertidal ecosystems, because they drive oxygen into the sand as they burrow, which helps organic matter to decompose, enriching the sediment, and ultimately providing food for more creatures.Their transparent nature is used as a defense mechanism in the wild. It’s very difficult for most of their natural predators to spot them as they scavenge the bottom of the riverbed.Beady little eyes can be found poking out from either side of the rostrum base. Look a little further, and you’ll see two pairs of antennae. One pair is long while the other is short.The antennae are usually clear like the rest of the body, though you might see some light coloration on a few ghost shrimp. They act as sensory organs that help them navigate the environment and gather some crucial information about the chemical composition of the water.Below the shrimp’s head, you’ll find six flexible segments. They’re much softer and more flexible than the tougher carapace. Look closely, and this section may look very familiar to you.It looks like any other shrimp that you might have eaten, albeit much smaller. The first five sections are attached to the pleopods, which are limbs used for swimming. The final sixth section holds the tail.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZxo7bs9HJCWi08rj6 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-20T16:15:45.933966Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       The rosy maple moth has a variable coloration. In most cases, it is white, yellow, or cream-colored, with some amount of pink at the outer and inner portions of the wings. Adults emerge in the late afternoon and mate in the late evening. Females begin laying eggs at dusk the next day in groups of 10-30 on leaves of the host plant. Eggs hatch in about 2 weeks and feed gregariously when young. Older caterpillars feed alone. Fully-grown caterpillars pupate and overwinter in shallow underground chambers.Larvae are greenish white with an orangish-brown head. There are two elongated black horns on the second thoracic segment (the second segment behind the head). A ring of tiny black spines encircles each abdominal segment; the ones on the top and sides are very short, but the ones lowest on the sides are longer. Spines on the hind end of the caterpillar are longer. Sometimes there is a pinkish-red patch on each side of the hind end (abdominal segments 7 and 8). In some stages, lengthwise stripes run down the body.Range: Nova Scotia west through Quebec to Ontario and Minnesota; south to Dade County, Florida, the Gulf Coast, and east Texas.
       
 (DIR) Post #AZzvcNczB6aKQ5edlo by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-21T16:49:19.526174Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Yellow-bellied Bee AssassinThese bugs (Apiomerus flaviventris) are known to resemble bees. They represent a species known for its enhanced polychromatism which means it exhibits multiple colors.The lower part of its body is yellow with black stripes while its legs are red. Its head is black.Yellow-bellied Bee Assassin bugs are known to kill bees. They spend the day on flowers where they await for bees to approach.The bugs are also known for laying a large number of eggs embalmed in an off-putting pheromone that keeps predators away.
       
 (DIR) Post #Aa6PRUwtmTWpVvSILI by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-24T19:51:37.834632Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The aptly named Toxic Reef Crab (also referred to as the Devil Crab), Zosimus aeneus, can be so toxic as to kill within a few hours of consumption and has been reported to be used by Pacific Islanders as a means for suicide. This crab's muscles store two of the most lethal toxins— tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin. These gorgeous crabs are easy on the eyes but be sure to avoid them on the dinner plate. Eating a crab will kill the diner in a matter of hours.They have evolved excellent camouflage skills, allowing them to blend seamlessly with their rocky reef environments. This adaptation helps them avoid predation by blending into their surroundings.These crabs are primarily nocturnal, displaying heightened activity during the night. They tend to retreat to their hiding places during the day to minimize exposure to potential predators.
       
 (DIR) Post #Aa8J6WPOwoj2YEK000 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-25T17:50:09.141994Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       This incredible arachnid most frequently goes by the appropriate and descriptive common name of the Long-Horned Orb Weaver. Macracantha is a genus of Asian orb-weaver spiders recognized as containing the species, Macracantha arcuata, although some schemes also recognise inclusion of Gasteracantha hasselti in this genus. Macracantha is notable for the extremely long, curved spines on the abdomens of female members of the genus. The females of this genus have tough, shell-like abdomens armed with three pairs of spines. The spectacular middle (median) spines project upward and outward, curving in toward each other along their length. They are up to three times as long (20–26 mm) as the abdomen is wide (8–9 mm).
       
 (DIR) Post #AaARHP8FWw277Mv2Mi by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-26T18:31:12.540802Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Phymata fasciataThis type of assassin bug is a very potent predator. It’s one of the few types of bugs of this genus that can take on prey a few times larger than its 1-inch body.Bugs of these species are tan or brown. They have a body that appears wrinkly, often confused with leaves or tree bark.This allows these bugs to remain undetected on flowers or trees where many types of insects approach them unknowingly.Bugs of the species have a very potent bite.They often eat powerful large insects such as wasps, hornets, and bees such as bumblebees.However, these bugs cannot be seen as truly beneficial to any type of habitat as they also eat honeybees.
       
 (DIR) Post #AaCPxbnwzcLmzXLCdM by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-27T17:25:50.239171Z
       
       5 likes, 3 repeats
       
       The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is known for its color and delicious flavor. The crab's scientific name means "savory beautiful swimmer." While blue crabs do have sapphire blue claws, their bodies are usually duller in color. Like other decapods, blue crabs have 10 legs. However, their hind legs are paddle-shaped, making blue crabs excellent swimmers. Blue crabs have blue legs and claws and olive to grayish blue bodies. The color comes mainly from the blue pigment alpha-crustacyanin and the red pigment astaxanthin. When blue crabs are cooked, heat deactivates the blue pigment and turns the crab red.Mating and spawning occur separately. Mating occurs in brackish water during warm months between May and October. Mature males molt and mate with multiple females over their lifespan, while each female undergoes a single molt into her mature form and only mates once. As she nears the molt, a male defends her against threats and other males. Insemination occurs after the female molts, providing her with spermatophores for a year of spawning. The male continues to guard her until her shell hardens. While mature males remain in brackish water, females migrate to high salinity water to spawn.
       
 (DIR) Post #AaCQ1aJgT3u3XC51FY by Moon@shitposter.club
       2023-09-27T17:26:32.512265Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho They taste great.
       
 (DIR) Post #AaCQ9ScgxJ4JzSj5d2 by mu@thebag.social
       2023-09-27T17:27:55.614916Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       finally! 🦀
       
 (DIR) Post #AaEmb5Em5EFesQ2H5s by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-28T20:48:54.986611Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Odontomachus, otherwise known as trap-jaw ants, belong to the carnivorous variety of ants, and you find them in subtropical and tropical regions all over the world. The general name for this variety of ants is trap-jaw ants in the Odontomachus species. They have a pair of big and straight mandibles that can open as wide as 180 degrees. There is an internal mechanism that locks the jaws in position. When the sensory hairs located on the interior of the mandible are touched, they sense the prey or object and abruptly shut on them. The ant got its name from these strong and fast mandibles. The prey is either maimed or killed by the mandibles, permitting the ants to take it back to their nest. It is possible for the Odontomachus to once again snap and lock its jaw in case a single bite is insufficient,  or for cutting bigger size prey into bits. Besides, they are able to perform slow and smooth movements of their mandibles for building nests and nurturing the larvae.Trap-jaw ants are vigorous hunters and their stings are poisonous. Their jaws are strong enough to launch  them in the air.
       
 (DIR) Post #AaGjsgA48uHOlsS47U by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-29T19:27:54.202703Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The common cockchafer is also known as a May bug as they often emerge as adults during the month of May. They are large, brown beetles who spend the first few years of their lives as larvae underground. They mostly come out after the sun has set and can be seen flying around streetlights and lighted windows. If you have a moth trap, you may also find a few of these stumble in, attracted to the bright light.The common cockchafer is the UK's largest scarab beetle (scarabs include dung beetles and chafers). With its rusty-brown wing cases, pointed 'tail' and fan-like antennae it is unmistakeable. It is a clumsy flier and makes a buzzing sound.
       
 (DIR) Post #AaIlCqDewgZe1lELNw by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-09-30T18:52:10.283311Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Black hairy scorpion: This is one of the largest species of scorpions in the U.S., with mature adults growing to about 5 inches long from tip of tail to head. The legs, claws, tail appendage, and underside are all a light yellow color while the top of the cephalothorax is a charcoal black. The tips of the claws are a reddish brown. The body is covered with a light layer of fine, short hairs used to detect movement in its environment. An unusual feature of scorpions is that they will glow a light blue color when exposed to ultraviolet light at night, helpful when inspecting for them.Because of its size this scorpion readily preys on other scorpions, most insects, and even small lizards and snakes. This species prefers to create deep burrows to hide in, some as deep as 8 inches, and from these it emerges at night to hunt. Females retain their eggs with the young born within them, and as the first instar nymphs emerge they are guided up onto the back of their mother, where they remain for the first 3 weeks. From 25-35 young may be normal and the adult scorpions may live up to 6 years. The venom is considered to be relatively mild and about as painful as the sting of a honeybee.
       
 (DIR) Post #AaLDsVCeexFU2fKmR6 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-01T23:22:52.038483Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail belonging to the swallowtail family, is mostly indigenous to the eastern parts of the United States. The black stripes on its yellow body have perhaps earned it the name “tiger”. When the wings are opened they are yellow, also having four stripes black in color, mostly prominent in the males. The forewings of the males are black, further decorated with yellow spots lined in a row, while the veins are even black. In females, the body could either be yellow just as the males or it may attain a complete black form, teamed with dark stripes. Moreover, the hind wing even comprises of neatly arranged blue spots.When the wings are closed, the shades are mostly the same with a yellow base with black borders or a full black body as in females.Eastern swallowtail caterpillars are green with large yellow and black decoy eyespots. They also have orange “horns” they can extend when they feel threatened.
       
 (DIR) Post #AaN3Z1103yQrgis7Bg by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-02T20:36:43.067676Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Not all cockroaches want to live near humans. The Brown-hooded Cockroach is a woodland cockroach that prefers the great outdoors to kitchen cupboards pantries.This small, social insect lives in large congregations inside and around decaying tree trunks, stumps and limbs. Keeping the generations together is the only way of keeping the population alive. Nymphs of the Brown-hooded Cockroach are hatched without the ability to digest cellulose, the chief component of plant cells. Their diet is decaying wood which is made of cellulose, so nymphs need a way to break down wood. Adults rely on cellulose-destroying protozoans in their digestive organs in order to glean nutrition from the wood. In order to ingest the same necessary protozoans, the nymphs must feed on the fecal matter of adults. Without the feces, which harbors the living protozoans, the nymphs would essentially starve to death.The Brown-hooded Cockroach does not enter buildings with the intention of living there like other nuisance cockroaches. It is not considered a pest. Nature is its preferred domain. As rotting wood comprises both habitat and food, the Brown-Hooded Cockroach is likely to be found in woodlands and forests. Check fallen trees and broken branches that are large enough to hold extended family.©InsectIdentification.org
       
 (DIR) Post #AaPVaaFHkUCSH90evY by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-04T01:00:09.267509Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Also known as figeater beetles or green June beetles, fig beetles are large, metallic-looking green beetles that dine on corn, flower petals, nectar, and soft-skinned fruits.Figeater beetles are generally harmless and actually quite attractive. Many people don’t mind their presence in the garden, but due to their clumsy air-raid flight habits and loud buzzing, they may wear out their welcome in a hurry. In large numbers, they can do more serious damage. Adult figeater beetles lay their eggs 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm.) beneath the surface of the soil in late summer. The eggs hatch in about two weeks and survive by eating organic matter in the soil until winter. On warm days of late winter and spring, the thumb-sized grubs burrow to the surface where they feed on grass roots and thatch.
       
 (DIR) Post #AaQz29u0NSe4ViW78K by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-04T18:04:48.317537Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Adult wheel bugs (Arilus cristatus) are large (1 to 1-1/2 inches long) light gray to grayish-brown distinctive-looking insects. They get their name from the prominent cog-like toothed ‘wheel’ on their thorax (there can be 8-12 teeth/tubercles on this wheel). They are the only insects in Illinois (or the U.S.) to have such a structure. They also have beak-like mouthparts that arise from the front of their head, which some think resembles an elephant's trunk.Wheel bugs are a type of assassin bug (family Reduviidae), so they are predators. They have raptorial front legs (like praying mantids) that they will use to grab prey. Once they have captured their prey, they insert their mouthparts into their prey and inject their saliva, which contains chemicals that paralyze the prey and begin digesting it. They will then suck out the ‘juices’ of the insect, like drinking a juice box.They are generalist predators, meaning they will feed on a wide variety of different insects. They can commonly be found feeding on pests like caterpillars, beetles, sawfly larvae, aphids, and stink bugs, among others. In fact, wheel bugs are one of the few insects that will feed on the invasive brown marmorated stink bug.
       
 (DIR) Post #AaT51G2dcHADMQHnVY by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-05T18:21:17.730625Z
       
       2 likes, 2 repeats
       
       The Giant Prickly Stick Insect, also refferred to as Macleay’s Spectre Stick Insect, is a large stick insect from Australia and New Guinea. Its scientific Latin name is Extatosoma tiaratum.This species of stick insect looks more like a cactus than like a twig. Its body is bulky and covered in small spines. On its legs it has big lobes that are also spiked and look like leaves of a desert plant. Extatosoma tiaratum are often light to mid brown, but occasionally you can find green, beige or dark brown varieties. There is also a rare “lichen” type color that can be found in some young Giant Prickly Stick Insect females.Like most stick insects this species is docile by nature. It is nocturnal and will generally only move during the night.It has an amazing defense strategy: it will mimic a scorpion when threatened. If they are disturbed, they will curl up their tail to mimic a scorpion. Sometimes they will even raise their front legs to mimic the shears of a scorpion. Predators who are interested in eating a stick insect, see a scorpion and are not willing to take the risk and attack a poisonous scorpion. The stick insect is harmless but just uses its tail to bluff off predators!
       
 (DIR) Post #AaT560QZ62zcNlk3cW by Moon@shitposter.club
       2023-10-05T18:22:04.316381Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho these are great, never stop doing them.
       
 (DIR) Post #AaTAZDqyl1NEBuqc7s by galena@paws.moe
       2023-10-05T19:23:26.690867Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho sneaky bug pretends to be not only a cactus but also a scorpion
       
 (DIR) Post #AaTZk7MzhXzi7d7AGW by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-06T00:05:33.102818Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       https://youtu.be/BpNdepANfwI?si=CqVQe6OuJnTRFR3g
       
 (DIR) Post #AaV5DA8PnAwgpeaJPc by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-06T17:32:52.121465Z
       
       3 likes, 3 repeats
       
       Similar to the animal they’re named after, camel crickets are light to dark brown with a hump-back appearance. They have six legs including hind legs that are often as long as the rest of their body. They also have very long antennae, often longer than their bodies. It is believed this is because they are nocturnal insects and rely heavily on their sense of touch.Adults are very small, only growing up 1.25” inches in body length. Camel crickets do not have sound-producing structures on their back legs, and adults do not have wings, unlike other cricket species. Their only form of defense is to leap when frightened.One reason camel crickets are considered household pests is their habit of eating fabrics including curtains and clothing. Homeowners have even reported crickets munching on clothing hung outside to dry.
       
 (DIR) Post #AaVSGxxBJz3B9n74KW by opal@ap.maladaptive.art
       2023-10-06T21:51:15.061581Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho cc @yeongrak nice thread :3
       
 (DIR) Post #AaVgZ9WKSAKlbN7Rc8 by yeongrak@ap.maladaptive.art
       2023-10-07T00:31:25.449669Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       funny you should send me this now i literally just got back from the local entomological research collection to ask about doing volunteer work, nice thread indeed.
       
 (DIR) Post #AaVjvvKVgByi758mGm by opal@ap.maladaptive.art
       2023-10-07T01:09:07.462642Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @yeongrak @kho hope you can get it :3
       
 (DIR) Post #AaW4ZGtTRAuLMyXCVM by r@freesoftwareextremist.com
       2023-10-07T05:00:16.412720Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho Excellent thread, thank you.
       
 (DIR) Post #AaXIGSUXgZ06M0kxW4 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-07T19:08:33.130188Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       This crab is a species of Lithodid Crab which is a type of king crab. King crabs are different from most other crabs. They are more closely related to hermit crabs and have similar characteristics. Their abdomens are twisted to one side, they have large right-handed claws, and their legs fold backwards, instead of forwards. They are able to walk forwards instead of sideways like most other crab species.The almost circular carapace can reach a diameter of 13-14 cm. It is covered by large spikes on both the dorsal shell side and the limbs. The color is usually brown or orange. The claws are slender, relative to the body size.
       
 (DIR) Post #AaZEdscKVFh2qUUtNY by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-08T17:37:23.134627Z
       
       4 likes, 4 repeats
       
       The beautiful eighty eight butterfly or diaethria clymena native to South and Central America. They are named after the black and white stripes on their underwing that outline the number ‘eighty eight’. The same numbering found in 12 different species of diaethria butterfly. But the coloring and pattern slightly differs across the species. The upperside of eighty eight butterfly’s wings are black and band of blue and green also appears on their forewings. The underside of their wings have attractive black markings on white and red. The thickness and brightness of the black markings are also varies among different species of eighty eight butterfly.The eighty eight butterflies are found in small and large group in accordance with circumstances. The active butterflies are also found in human habitations. They also like to rest on rock faces and mineral rich soil. They laid the eggs on leaves of trema plants. The larvaes also feed on the leaves of the host plant. The adult eighty eight butterfly has a wingspan of 35-40 mm. Eighty eight butterflies mainly feed on rotten fruits.
       
 (DIR) Post #AabIv72Mvnugcl4MPA by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-09T17:34:44.339049Z
       
       2 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Snow Crabs have brown or reddish shells with yellow or white undertones, as well as four pairs of legs on the underside. This color shading helps these crabs conceal themselves in the deep seas where they dwell. The four pairs of legs assist these crustaceans move about freely on Alaskan or North Atlantic ocean floors.The commercial catches of Snow Crab in Alaska are expected to reach 36.6 million pounds in 2020, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The crab has never been short in the Pacific or Atlantic, and NOAA does not consider it overfished.The migratory habits of these crabs are less well-known than those of other types. The Bering Sea has seen the most significant population movements, with numbers growing steadily throughout the year.They are distributed across the world via ocean currents. These crabs may be found as deep as 265 feet below the surface in some places and 66 to 265 feet beneath the sea surface in other areas.They can be found throughout much of Canada, Europe, Scandinavia, northern Asia, and Siberia. The habitat extends from Siberia and Alaska to Korea, with clusters having been discovered in all of these locations.
       
 (DIR) Post #AabJKpzgv6UbIL5FAm by ademan@thebag.social
       2023-10-09T17:39:22.932965Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @mu
       
 (DIR) Post #AabPgZ7sukdT4leyXY by mu@thebag.social
       2023-10-09T18:50:32.626884Z
       
       3 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🦀
       
 (DIR) Post #AadYj0v9phlLlKrwNE by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-10T19:41:15.688592Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨The Happy Face spider has a special design that looks like a smiley face on its belly! It lives on a few islands in Hawaii, and each spider has its own unique pattern. Sometimes, these patterns even change from one island to another. Some don’t have any marks at all! People believe the bright designs might help them stay safe from birds.The happy-face spider is endemic to the Hawaiian archipelago but is only found on four of the islands: Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii.
       
 (DIR) Post #AafRLvXpLSDV44v8Vc by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-11T17:28:04.413088Z
       
       4 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Cecropia moths are beautiful silk moths with reddish bodies and black to brown wings surrounded by bands of white, red, and tan. With a wingspan of five to seven inches (13 to 18 centimeters), the cecropia moth is the largest moth found in North America.In order to find a mate, male cecropia moths must have extraordinary senses. A female moth produces natural chemicals called pheromones, which the male can detect from over a mile away. Females lay over a hundred eggs, although many of the caterpillars won’t live to see adulthood. When the caterpillars hatch, they are black in color. As they go through successive molts, they increase in size and change color from black to yellow to green. At the end of the summer, the five-inch-long caterpillar seals itself into a cocoon and emerges in the spring as a moth. The sole purpose of the adult stage is to mate and lay eggs. Adult moths cannot eat, so if a predator doesn’t scoop them up, they die after two weeks.
       
 (DIR) Post #AafTv7XOwkSQIwdA92 by Whitewall_Blasphemy@poa.st
       2023-10-11T17:56:50.830774Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho Brutal.
       
 (DIR) Post #AahaoT1Xkd5UuXQKUi by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-12T18:23:30.072934Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) of the Namib Desert, located on the southwest coast of Africa, live in one of the driest habitats in the world. But some species of Darkling beetle can get the water they need from dew and ocean fog, using their very own body surfaces.Micro-sized grooves or bumps on the beetle’s hardened forewings can help condense and direct water toward the beetle’s awaiting mouth, while a combination of hydrophilic (water attracting) and hydrophobic (water repelling) areas on these structures may increase fog- and dew-harvesting efficiency. For certain species of Darkling beetle, the act of facing into the foggy wind and raising its rear end up in the air (known as fog-basking behavior) is thought to be just as important as body surface structure for successfully harvesting water from the air.
       
 (DIR) Post #AajctzWkl1RMnjjTkW by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-13T17:56:18.116062Z
       
       4 likes, 5 repeats
       
       Spotted Cleaner Shrimp (Periclimenes yucatanicus)Found living in groups, in a symbiotic relationship with various sea anemones, over coral and rocky reefs, where they are found swishing their tentacles around to attract customers for cleaning.They feed on algae, dead tissue, parasites, and plankton.Carid shrimps occur worldwide in almost every habitat, from sea water to fresh water and can be found all over the reef.They are generally respected by other creatures, often sharing burrows and holes and working as housekeepers.They will wave their antennae around to attract customers, they then proceed to clean outside and inside the creatures mouths, gills etc. Often if a divers hand is near to a cleaner shrimps, they will hop on board and perform a manicure!
       
 (DIR) Post #AajcxNM2cneNZKKtCy by Moon@shitposter.club
       2023-10-13T17:56:47.474862Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho cc: @animeirl
       
 (DIR) Post #AalhzlWacUrvCI9H2e by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-14T18:02:49.477313Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       The attention-grabbing term of Scorpion-Tailed Spider fits this amazing arthropod. Although riveting, it’s not the only name applied to it, though. That’s because it’s also known by such terms as scorpion orb weaver and simply the tailed spider. The astonishing tail, though, remains its most distinctive physical attribute. This also represents another form of gender-based physical difference. That’s because only the females develop this body part. This appendage increases in size with each molting.The females can arch this bendable tail over their backsides, which gives them the appearance of irate scorpions and prompts would-be attackers to keep their distance. But it’s all an act: The tail cannot sting and this spider is mostly harmless to humans
       
 (DIR) Post #Aand8wySzHxGMxwT7w by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-15T16:17:52.963004Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The Alpine Black Swallowtail, known scientifically as Papilio maackii, is a beautiful butterfly found mainly in East Asia. With a distinctive black and blue appearance, it’s unique from other swallowtails. Its life begins as an egg, then transforms through caterpillar and chrysalis stages to become an adult butterfly.These butterflies feed on citrus plants as caterpillars and nectar as adults. They have roles in pollination and also feature in cultural stories. In gardens, they can be both a delight for their beauty and sometimes a concern for citrus growers. Their behavior varies with seasons, often hibernating in cold months and being most active in summer.The Alpine Black Swallowtail is predominantly found in regions spanning Eastern Asia. These regions include parts of China, Korea, Japan, and even the Russian Far East.The habitats that the butterfly prefers are typically forested areas, especially those located in mountainous terrains. These green, elevated landscapes offer the butterfly ample resources and protection, making them ideal spots for their lifecycle to unfold.
       
 (DIR) Post #AapqqHPq0xK5XKTPTU by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-16T18:00:47.952765Z
       
       2 likes, 2 repeats
       
       The Rosalia batesi is one of the longicorn beetles. The name Rosalia means a beautiful young woman. The Rosalia batesi's body is a beautiful blue with black spots. When they die, their body turns a rusty red, not leaving a trace of their living beauty.The Japanese endemic longicorn beetle, R. batesi, is distributed over most of Mainland Japan and has an important function of decomposing dead hardwood in the Japanese forest ecosystem. This species is very popular in Japanese culture, owing to its spectacular appearance and color:Rosalia batesi was featured as one of the insects in the video game Resident Evil in Insects Puzzle Room on 1st Floor of the Mansion.Rosalia batesi was also featured as one of the collectable insects in the 2020 video game Animal Crossing: New Horizons.It also appeared as a beetle saved by Doppio in Episode 26 the 2018 TV anime series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind.
       
 (DIR) Post #Aas13kQQr9yD89jR4q by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-17T19:04:42.502730Z
       
       5 likes, 6 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Idolomantis is a monotypic genus of praying mantises in the family Empusidae. It contains the single species, Idolomantis diabolica, commonly known as the devil's flower mantis or giant devil's flower mantis. It is one of the largest species of praying mantises, and is possibly the largest that mimics flowers. It is native to Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Somalia, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Uganda. Its threat display is magnificently colored, with red, white, blue, purple, and black.The head of I. diabolica contains three vital components: compound eyes, antennae, and mandibles. The compound eyes, composed of thousands of individual photoreceptor cells, enable good eyesight. The arrangement of photoreceptor units, for instance, allows the insect to capture a perceptual span of 180°. This allows I. diabolica to identify prey and predators without increasing its vulnerability by spoiling its camouflage. The antennae, a pair of long and thin bristles, serve as the insect's sensory perception. Projecting outwards, the antennae can detect much in the surrounding environment such as chemicals, movement, and odors.
       
 (DIR) Post #Aas18ihQhUZhE43MKe by anonicus@shitposter.club
       2023-10-17T19:05:36.390373Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho This one actually looks so cool what the hell.
       
 (DIR) Post #Aatu970G1sHrEu1GgS by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-18T16:56:39.873262Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Madagascan sunset moth, a day-flying species of the Uraniidae family, is indigenous to Madagascar as its name suggests. However, initially, experts regarded Bengal or China to be its place of origin that was ruled out eventually. Described in 1773, entomologist Dru Drury considered it a butterfly and put it in the Papilio genus. Later, in 1823, Jacob Hubner identified it as a moth, placing it in the Chrysiridia genus. Bright and colorful, mostly due to its wings, the moth generates an impressive and appealing appearance.The larva has a whitish-yellow body spotted in black and also red feet covered with black hairs. The five pairs of prolegs of the caterpillar are fixed to the third, sixth, and tenth abdominal segments. On the other hand, its six real legs remain attached to its thorax. On hatching, they mainly feed on the tissues situated in the middle of the veins of the leaves. Eventually, they start consuming many other things like fruit, tendrils, petioles, young stems, and flowers. They spin silk that is a part of their adaptation strategy, helping them cling on to their host plants’ leaves.The animal gets its name because of the sunset-colored patches near the bottom of the hindwings. The hindwings are also banded with blue, and there are green bands, dots, and stippling on the forewings.The iridescent areas of its wings are caused by a trick of light instead of pigment. But its colorful wings aren’t just for the pleasure of human beings. They warn would-be predators that the moth is toxic. The caterpillar exclusively eats the leaves, flowers, and fruit of Omphalea shrubs, which are full of alkaloids.Though collectors would love to get their hands on one of these pretty moths, the Madagascan Sunset moth isn’t as rare as it might be. This is because of the Malagasy people’s belief that it represents the souls of their ancestors, and to kill it would be a desecration.
       
 (DIR) Post #Aavhsooz3DLf5A899k by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-19T13:48:40.931029Z
       
       6 likes, 4 repeats
       
       The glasswing butterfly can travel up to 12 miles a day and at a speed of 8 miles per hour. The key reason behind its migration is the idea of changing elevations and population density.To attract females, male glasswinged butterflies will form large gatherings where they compete for available mates. They display themselves in large groups to attract females. They also release pheromones during these gatherings or lekking to attract mates.Before the males’ butterflies can convert alkaloid compounds to pheromones they use during mating, these compounds are also nauseating to predators. Hence, they can lek without any worries of being prey.
       
 (DIR) Post #AaviKSAUrrOKvwN10q by Billy_Hughes@nicecrew.digital
       2023-10-19T13:53:40.349585Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Mother nature is more beautiful, stranger, and sadistic than us
       
 (DIR) Post #AaxymZf4aZlRre1TUm by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-20T16:07:27.744451Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Fairyflies are very tiny insects, like most chalcidoid wasps, mostly ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 mm (0.020 to 0.039 in) long. They include the world's smallest known insect, with a body length of only 0.139 mm (0.0055 in), and the smallest known flying insect, only 0.15 mm (0.0059 in) long. They usually have nonmetallic black, brown, or yellow bodies. The antennae of the females are distinctively tipped by club-like segments, while male antennae are thread-like. Their wings are usually slender and possess long bristles, giving them a hairy or feathery appearance, although some species may have greatly reduced stubby wings or lack wings altogether. They can be distinguished from other chalcidoids by the H-shaped pattern of sutures on the front of their heads.Fairyflies include the smallest known insect, Dicopomorpha echmepterygis from Illinois, whose males are only 0.139 mm (0.0055 in) long. They do not have wings or eyes, their mouths are mere holes, and their antennae are simply spherical blobs.All known fairyflies are parasitoids of eggs of other insects. These eggs are commonly laid in concealed locations, such as in plant tissues or underground. They do not seem to be species-specific when it comes to choosing hosts. Adult lifespans of fairyflies are very short. Stethynium adults (males and females) may live only one to two days. In Anagrus, depending on the species, lifespan ranges from three to 11 days. Each fertilized (or parthenogenic) female can lay a maximum of about 100 eggs. Access to food can prolong lifespans and increase fecundity. In Gonatocerus, if hosts are not found females can resorb eggs, retaining energy to live longer and increase the chance of finding a host.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ab08hdygV8f3f2P4pU by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-21T17:08:02.438102Z
       
       2 likes, 5 repeats
       
       The giant leopard moth (Hypercompe scribonia) grows from a red-striped "woolly bear"-type caterpillar to a white-spotted moth large enough to fit comfortably in an adult's hand.As an adult, the moth is noteworthy in its appearance: Its wings are bright white, with a pattern of black and shiny blue dots (some solid and some hollow) sprinkled across them. It has a wingspan of three inches, and when its wings are spread, you can see its colorful abdomen: The top side is iridescent blue with orange markings, while the underside is white with solid black dots. Its legs have black and white bands. Male moths (they have a yellow band along the side of their abdomens) are approximately two inches long, while females grow to slightly more than half that size.As a caterpillar, the giant leopard moth grows to approximately two inches long and has shiny black bristles covering its body. Unlike some other "hairy" creatures, these caterpillars' bristles are not urticant, which means that they don't break off in predators when touched, causing irritation and discomfort.The giant leopard moth can be found across fields, meadows, and forest edges of eastern North America and as far south as Colombia in South America. It is nocturnal, flying only at night, and adults can be seen between April and September. When handled or threatened, it may release drops of foul-tasting yellow fluid from its thorax to ward off predators.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ab2Gznjw8Grt6Eau3c by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-22T17:50:23.130043Z
       
       1 likes, 2 repeats
       
       The American lobster (Homarus americanus) is a species of lobster found on the Atlantic coast of North America, chiefly from Labrador to New Jersey. It is also known as Atlantic lobster, Canadian lobster, true lobster, northern lobster, Canadian Reds, or Maine lobster. It can reach a body length of 64 cm (25 in), and a mass of over 20 kilograms (44 lb), making it not only the heaviest crustacean in the world, but also the heaviest of all living arthropod species. Its closest relative is the European lobster Homarus gammarus, which can be distinguished by its coloration and the lack of spines on the underside of the rostrum. American lobsters are usually bluish green to brown with red spines, but several color variations have been observed. American lobsters (Homarus americanus) are typically murky brown, green, or light orange. European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) have dark navy blue or purpleish coloring.Their unique shade is the consequence of a genetic abnormality that results in the overproduction of a certain protein. Because they’re extremely rare, experts put the odds of this coloring anomaly at one in two million. However, these stats are merely guesses. The odds of finding this two-toned blue lobster are one in 50 million.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ab2H8oJLNWkDTdS3iS by Moon@shitposter.club
       2023-10-22T17:51:59.408158Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho racing stripes
       
 (DIR) Post #Ab49FmGDqtHksuTvU0 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-23T15:33:03.425401Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The evolution of the name Colorado potato beetle is curious because the beetle is believed to have originated in central Mexico, not Colorado. It had a series of names from 1863 to 1867, including the ten-striped spearman, ten-lined potato beetle potato-bug, and new potato bug. Colorado was not associated with the insect until Walsh (1865) stated that two of his colleagues had seen large numbers of the insect in the territory of Colorado feeding on buffalo-bur.The life cycle of the Colorado potato beetle starts with the adult as the overwintering stage and can be as short as 30 days. Adults dig into the soil to a depth of several inches and emerge in the spring. They feed on newly sprouted host plants where they mate. Larvae drop from the plants and burrow into the soil where they construct a spherical cell and transform into yellowish pupae. This lasts from five to 10 days. There are one to three generations per year, depending on latitude; however two generations can occur even as far north as Canada.Potatoes are the preferred host for the Colorado potato beetle, but it may feed and survive on a number of other plants in the family Solanaceae, including belladonna, common nightshade, eggplant, ground cherry, henbane, horse-nettle, pepper (rarely), tobacco, thorn apple, tomato, and, its first recorded host plant, buffalo-bur.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ab6IFKvqkMwE1vjl32 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-24T16:23:14.581805Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Yellow garden spiders are large, orb-weaving arachnids, meaning they spin a circular web. Most spiders have two claws on each foot, but orb weavers have an additional claw to help them spin their complex webs. In females, the top side of the abdomen is black with symmetrical patches of bright yellow. The legs are reddish brown at the base and black toward the tips. Males are less striking in appearance—they are smaller with brownish legs and less yellow coloration on their abdomens. Females average 0.75 to 1.1 inches (19 to 28 millimeters) in body length, which is up to three times larger than the males. These spiders produce venom that is harmless to humans, but helps to immobilize prey like flies, bees, and other flying insects that are caught in the web. The web of the garden spider contains a highly visible zigzagging X-shaped pattern called a stabilimentum. The exact function of the stabilimentum is unknown, but its purpose may be to alert birds to the presence of the web so that they don’t fly through and destroy it by mistake. The spider may eat and respin its web each night.Inspired by @binkle
       
 (DIR) Post #Ab6ML05BZq78vA3mYS by Inginsub@clubcyberia.co
       2023-10-24T17:08:53.106970Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho @binkle YELLOW SPIDER, YELLOW LEAF
       
 (DIR) Post #Ab8Q0z3OTt6Y4Sqv8C by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-25T16:59:42.819948Z
       
       2 likes, 1 repeats
       
       The Masked Hunter is a type of Assassin Bug. This family of insects is known for its ability to inflict painful bites on people thanks to a very strong, fang-like beak. This beak is normally used to rapidly stab an insect to death, but it also a weapon of self-defense if it feels threatened. Nymphs, or juveniles, are small and are covered in sticky hairs. Dust, lint, and dirt sticks to the body and legs of the nymph making it look appear more like an alien rather than an insect. This dusty covering makes the Masked Hunter nymph a curiosity to observers who do not know its true identity.The Masked Hunter adult has a small head, with moderate length antennae and a short, stout beak. It is dark brown to black and elongate oval in shape. They primarily eat Bed Bugs and are active at night. Sightings of Masked Hunters indoors are usually a result of a bed bug presence inside the home. To eliminate the Masked Hunter, its food source -bed bugs- must be removed.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbAHVFyNd7gtxdmtii by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-26T14:33:45.650210Z
       
       8 likes, 4 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Stink bugs are invasive, six-legged insects. They are almost two centimeters long with a shield-like shape, and a grayish speckled coating. As the name suggests, these insects will produce a stinky odor when you crush them. Other than the unpleasant smell, stink bugs are only dangerous to certain plants.Originally, the brown marmorated stink bugs are from East Asia. The insects have become more common in the United States. It’s assumed that these invasive insects got to the United States through shipping.Although harmless, these bugs can be a nuisance. Stink bugs thrive in warm temperatures and will mostly invade your house during the winter.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbCd6st6OY8gin1RdQ by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-27T17:45:17.465448Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       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).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.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).
       
 (DIR) Post #AbCdEdlyTZEu9yO2nw by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-27T17:46:41.596936Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       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.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbESjWRB5XhlCt6Ohs by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-28T14:57:43.684922Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       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.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbGZowOgS1s7YAvvBQ by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-29T15:27:15.992774Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 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.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbIwzonfitrAR5hGoC by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-30T18:56:22.947244Z
       
       1 likes, 3 repeats
       
       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.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbKzIteQV56lCuW7wO by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-10-31T18:31:39.803622Z
       
       4 likes, 2 repeats
       
       🚨 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.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbN6nSwtz9DKC5Pvu4 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-01T19:05:02.735007Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       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.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbN7DBoYJXFwa4mHpY by sysrq@lab.nyanide.com
       2023-11-01T19:09:40.856501Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho Moff.  :)
       
 (DIR) Post #AbP40ASA9VNn34K9my by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-02T17:43:08.969210Z
       
       0 likes, 2 repeats
       
       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.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbQzFhIEE56HmwBPXM by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-03T15:59:21.214026Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       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.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbT3LSQdC1kVYc2FrU by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-04T15:54:37.542890Z
       
       5 likes, 5 repeats
       
       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’.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbVmm9uB3U6ABDsiGm by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-05T23:33:04.798351Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 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.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbXaggZBth5SbfboGG by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-06T20:27:03.418560Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 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.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbXajjcF16pMvrUPku by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-06T20:27:37.946787Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 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.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbbcojkmuPFBLeq8MC by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-08T19:09:47.619179Z
       
       9 likes, 10 repeats
       
       🚨 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.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbbgmmCXEn6CB18gOO by anonaccount@poa.st
       2023-11-08T19:54:15.632419Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho Highly important post.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbdfgbcVx9vNz7hiyG by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-09T18:51:21.766173Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 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.
       
 (DIR) Post #Abflb6jWLonAmef9Zg by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-10T19:07:01.009016Z
       
       1 likes, 2 repeats
       
       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.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbiCgwQkegXXe8oGP2 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-11T23:20:01.869269Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The panda ant (Pachycondyla chinensis) is a species of ant native to China. They live in forests and feed mainly on bamboo shoots. This ant has become famous because of its ability to survive without water for long periods of time.Pandas ants are black with white stripes along their bodies. Their heads are yellowish-white and they have large mandibles that help them break down food.Pandas ants are social animals and they form colonies. When they’re ready to breed, they’ll send out scouts who search for potential mates. If they find one, the pair will start building a nest together. Once the nest is complete, the queen will lay eggs and the male will fertilise them.When the larvae hatch, they’ll leave the nest and start searching for food. After a few days, they’ll return to the colony and begin eating again.
       
 (DIR) Post #AblwuDj1YdqAcPMTSa by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-13T18:41:59.345562Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The mole cricket is an invasive pest that attacks turfgrass and other plants. This unique insect gets its name from its huge forelegs, which it uses to tunnel through the dirt like a mole. It damages golf courses and lawns by eating plant roots and disturbing the soil’s surface. The mole cricket’s long forelegs are its most distinctive physical trait. These enlarged limbs have blade-like projections called dactyls that allow the insect to dig through the soil. The number and appearance of dactyls differ among species.Adult mole crickets have short antennae and long cerci, or appendages, on their abdomen. They have large hind legs and wings of varying sizes. Many mole crickets can fly awkwardly. Their bodies have thick, short hairs. The mole cricket is an omnivore that feeds above and below the surface. These insects eat foliage, grasses, plant stem tissue, roots, and tubers. They also feed on fruit and vegetables like beets, carrots, eggplants, strawberries, sweet potatoes, and turnips.  The southern mole cricket mostly eats small animals and insects that live underground.
       
 (DIR) Post #Abo3eikrViDaDWhIbw by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-14T19:07:00.869631Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨With widespread Southeastern US distribution, Grizzled Mantids (Gonatista grisea) have a unique appearance.It takes on a mottled green color that resembles tree lichen. Its camouflaging colors make it look distinct from most Praying Mantids which have uniform green coloring.Grizzled Mantises are also some of the smallest types of Praying Mantis in the United States.Only the largest bugs of the species measure up to 1.5 inches, while others measure around 1.2 inches.This species is commonly seen in the Southeastern US areas with scrub hickory. The green and gray molted colors of the species help it camouflage itself on the bark.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbqQoqlNopX2e5GBKi by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-15T22:36:01.351607Z
       
       6 likes, 3 repeats
       
       Dwarf Mexican crawfish comes from Lake Pátzcuaro, a volcanic crater lake in Michoacán which is located in the southwest of the major city of Morelia, Mexico. Wild individuals of this crayfish are mostly tan, brown, and rust color.However, Dwarf Mexican crawfish are also available in bright colored morphs that are dramatically different from their normal, relatively drab, wild type coloration. The orange color morph of the dwarf species originated in the Netherlands (bred by Juan Carlos Merino in the 1990s).This color morph also called “CPO – Cambarellus patzcuarensis var orange” is a very attractive and popular strain among hobby keepers. Actually, it completely took over the pet niche for this species. Once again, this mutation comes from the crayfish being bred in captivity and not in the wild. The lifespan of these tiny bright creatures is only about 2 years but have been known to live even a little bit longer.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbqSmA9BUePvnrEt6m by thatbrickster@shitposter.club
       2023-11-15T22:57:55.862917Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho cc @animeirl
       
 (DIR) Post #AbqTfLgSImjHVi7GQC by animeirl@shitposter.club
       2023-11-15T23:07:53.908306Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Love these lil guys
       
 (DIR) Post #AbqTm7u7vrDonjk72e by thatbrickster@shitposter.club
       2023-11-15T23:09:07.945575Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @animeirl so dang cute@kho
       
 (DIR) Post #AbsKfApK9obUZD1fWq by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-16T20:36:28.097667Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The Pale Green Weevil is also known as the Leaf Weevil, a name more descriptive of its diet than its appearance. Pale Green Weevils are a bright green color with linear ridges on the elytra (wing coverings). Their green heads are marked with large black eyes and a small black line by the base of each bent antennae. The face is slightly flattened and long. They take flight when approached.This species is not native to North America and was transported from Europe in the early 1900's. The first documented sighting of them on this continent was in New York in 1906. The adults chew on the leaves of birch, maple, willow, and poplar trees as well as orchard trees like apple, pear, cherry, peach, and plum. Feeding only lasts a few weeks in the spring and early summer, so their impact on tree health is usually insignificant. They leave jagged edges on the leaves they have chewed, and are only a threat to the health of very young trees that do not have an abundance of branches and leaves yet. Orchards might have an annual inspection for this weevil in areas where new saplings are growing. Mature trees recover from any leaf loss by simply generating more leaves.Pale Green Weevils are found in the soil at the base of host trees where they chew at the small roots emerging from the trunk at the soil line. Their feeding activity there is also considered insignificant unless the tree is young.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbsPQ9XHAuAdzQF02y by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-16T21:29:46.711405Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The Pale Green Weevil is also known as the Leaf Weevil, a name more descriptive of its diet than its appearance. Pale Green Weevils are a bright green color with linear ridges on the elytra (wing coverings). Their green heads are marked with large black eyes and a small black line by the base of each bent antennae. The face is slightly flattened and long. They take flight when approached.This species is not native to North America and was transported from Europe in the early 1900's. The first documented sighting of them on this continent was in New York in 1906. The adults chew on the leaves of birch, maple, willow, and poplar trees as well as orchard trees like apple, pear, cherry, peach, and plum. Feeding only lasts a few weeks in the spring and early summer, so their impact on tree health is usually insignificant. They leave jagged edges on the leaves they have chewed, and are only a threat to the health of very young trees that do not have an abundance of branches and leaves yet. Orchards might have an annual inspection for this weevil in areas where new saplings are growing. Mature trees recover from any leaf loss by simply generating more leaves.Pale Green Weevils are found in the soil at the base of host trees where they chew at the small roots emerging from the trunk at the soil line. Their feeding activity there is also considered insignificant unless the tree is young.
       
 (DIR) Post #Abuf6Erbdws8IyCE6q by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-17T23:34:52.869456Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Sand fly adults are small flies – only about 3 mm long – and are golden, brownish or gray colored. They have long, piercing mouthparts that are well adapted for sucking blood from their selected host. Sand flies hold their hairy-looking wings in a vertical V-shape when at rest, a characteristic that distinguishes them from some other small flies. Also, the six legs on the adults are extremely long, being longer than the insect’s body. Female sand flies are blood feeders, but the males do not feed on blood. Females must consume a blood meal before they are able to develop eggs. However, both males and females also consume sugar-related nutrients that come from plant nectar or honeydew. Sand fly hosts vary a great deal. Some species feed on both mammals and reptiles, while Lutzomyia shannani, a common sand fly species in Florida and other coastal states feed on white-tailed deer, horses, donkeys, mules, cattle, swine, raccoons, rodents, birds and humans.In general, sand fly bites are very painful. Most flies that bite humans feed during the evening and throughout the night. In some cases, flies will attack in the daytime, if they are disturbed while resting.In general, sand fly females must consume a blood meal to develop eggs.Sand flies develop by complete metamorphosis, which means they go through four developmental stages: egg, larvae (grub), pupae (cocoon) and adult. Sand flies complete their life cycle within 1-3 months, depending on the sand fly species and their environmental conditions.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbwHOmRXWb5J4xESEi by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-18T18:18:43.886426Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Gooty sapphires are an Old World tarantula species, famous for their dramatic yellow and blue coloring. Broadly, Old World means ‘not native to North or South America’. In fact, their name holds the details of this tarantula’s origins. The first individual described was caught in the Indian town of Gooty in the early 20th century. But this is only half the story. It is now thought that one Gooty had arrived in town by train, because they have only been discovered in a small region of forest 60 miles east of there since.Gooty tarantulas are famous for their exotic coloring. Their main body color is blue, not because of blue pigment, but due to special lamellated hairs on their exoskeleton. Lamellated means ‘scaly’. The scaliness of those hairs disrupts how light is reflected from their surface, so that blue wavelengths dominate. In fact, the hairs themselves are not blue at all! Because of this, how intensely blue a gooty sapphire looks will depend partly on how the light is hitting them. Beside their blue areas they also have a white fractal pattern running down the center of their back, and vivid yellow patches at some of the joints on their legs (which are the result of yellow pigment).Gooty sapphires are venomous, and very much so -unlike tarantula species which rely on a venomous bite and flicking tiny irritating hairs from the sides of their abdomen to repel threats, gooties rely solely on their venomous bite as their only form of defense. To make it as effective as possible, they have adapted to produce a very powerful venom.
       
 (DIR) Post #AbyggyQ8cNnGboGh7Y by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-19T22:11:34.164610Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The Jewel Stag Beetle, (Lamprima adolphinae) is a species of stag beetle from Indonesia. They are known for the many different metallic colours they come in, such as gold, green, blue and purple. They are a relatively small species coming in at around 50mm for major males.Lamprima adolphinae is endemic to New Guinea. The species is said to occur as a neozoon in Japan.CharacteristicsThe species is characterized by a very pronounced sexual dimorphism. The males can reach a body length of 27 millimetres, the females are considerably smaller and grow up to 22 millimetres long. The pronotum and elytra are metallic green in color, the head and abdomen are coppery reddish. The pronotum is wider than long and reaches the width of the elytra. The male's body surface is smooth and shiny, with sparse, inconspicuous spots. Lamprima adolphinae occurs in many different color variants, especially in bred animals. For example, there are breeding forms in blue, red, black and other colors.The animals feed on tree sap and overripe fruit. The females lay their eggs in rotten logs. To do this, they make tunnels in the dead wood. The larvae live and feed on rotten hardwood. Depending on the temperature and available food, they need 9 to 13 months to develop. The male larvae can reach a length of up to 60 millimeters, the female larvae up to 40 millimeters.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ac0CC1TwZr86olIH8i by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-20T15:39:14.943893Z
       
       5 likes, 6 repeats
       
       
       
 (DIR) Post #Ac0IQeie5h2SHxWzZ2 by mistermonster@freespeechextremist.com
       2023-11-20T16:49:07.735588Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho we have those around here except the horns are black, not red. What is the difference?
       
 (DIR) Post #Ac0IaaAvq65T5mUlXM by moth_ball@shitposter.club
       2023-11-20T16:50:54.534936Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho mario kart weapon looking ass
       
 (DIR) Post #Ac0J3lWmi5RYhPdGFc by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-20T16:56:11.176300Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @mistermonster They do come in a variety of colors, but I just preferred the one. The different colored varieties are still the same, however: "There are a variety of species in this genus and abdomen colors vary from red, orange and yellow to white and ivory. Spines are black or red."
       
 (DIR) Post #Ac0N2lUTlKuU6wKem0 by mistermonster@freespeechextremist.com
       2023-11-20T17:40:50.189707Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho oh they're different species? Can they reproduce with each other?
       
 (DIR) Post #Ac1CiQv9j3w88jR7C4 by thomasroiloup@shitposter.club
       2023-11-21T03:19:48.887283Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho Tiny Zelda boss.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ac2ct3pOiVCRfcQn8S by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-21T19:47:46.891486Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The Japanese spider crab is a giant crustacean that can grow up to 12.5 feet that is most commonly found on the Pacific side of Japan.At first glance, they look like ancient monsters that have crawled straight out of a sci-fi movie. However, in the marine community, they are known to be gentle giants.As a species of marine crab, these crabs are often found inhabiting holes and pits on the ocean floor between 160 – 2,000 feet in depth.Living at such deep depths and covered in a thorny protective exoskeleton, with 10 giant legs – these animals have few natural predators.They are omnivorous, and they diet on dead and decaying animals and plant matter on the sea bed. They may at times also eat live fish that come there way.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ac2d0z7S6kNxNnedwe by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-21T19:49:12.855156Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       oh wtf I just realized the description of this got missed:The spiny-backed orb weaver spins flat, orb-shaped webs in shrubs, trees and in the corners of windows, soffits and similar outdoor areas of buildings. These spiders capture flying, and sometimes crawling, insects found around a home. They are not dangerous and would easily be overlooked if not for their unique coloration. They do not invade indoors unless carried inside while living in a potted plant. This spider is common along the southeast coast of the United States and is a regular inhabitant of yards in Florida.Also known as the crab-like orbweaver and the spiny backed orbweaver, this spider is small, coming in at less than half an inch in size. It has a hard and broad abdomen that can be orange, white, or yellow, usually with distinctive red markings.Spiny orb weaver spiders build distinctive webs. They often have tufts of silk that prevent birds from being confused and flying into them. When these spiders catch their prey, they paralyze their prey and then consume the liquefied insides of their catch.These spiders have dense spines that are believed to serve as a sort of protection against predator attacks. The irony of this is that these spiders are so tiny, they’re rarely even seen by predators! They have a unique mating behaviors in which males seek out females by visiting their webs. They then use a four-tap patterned drumming dance on the silk to get the female’s attention. It can take nearly an hour for mating to be complete, after which time, the male remains on the female’s web and the female produces an egg sac with up to 260 eggs.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ac2dX8zExKcHFl9Eyu by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-21T19:55:01.460149Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @mistermonster I am not certain, but "As of November 2021, the genus Gasteracantha contains 69 species and 18 subspecies" ..this article has some info and lists each one:https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Gasteracantha
       
 (DIR) Post #Ac4MojzPKA1G27x24e by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-22T15:57:08.473828Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Dorylus ants, members of the Formicidae family, contain over 61 different species and are the most aggressive ants on the planet. Aside from their hostile nature, fierce bite, and piercing sting, they overtake their prey in large numbers.These ants are known for their nomadic existence and their manner of hunting in massive swarms that are known to carpet the forest floor. As they creep across the land, insects and other mammals flee from the armies. The unfortunate animals that are too sick or injured to move may be consumed by the ants. But the majority of the driver ant diet consists of insects and earthworms.Driver ants not only swarm the ground but can cross water, scale walls, and cliffs, and climb trees. They do this by creating bridges or tunnels with their bodies. The columns they create are flanked by the larger soldier ants, while the smaller workers can pass through safely.The ants are found in Central, Eastern, and South Africa and tropical Asia. Their habitats are rainforests, grasslands, and scrublands. The ants are nomadic and live in temporary underground nests, which they relocate often.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ac76d1Y9C5DZEDTHYO by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-23T23:39:50.282859Z
       
       1 likes, 2 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Tachinids are the most important of the parasitic flies that provide biological control. Adults range from 1/12 to 4/5 inch (2–20 mm) long, and most are 1/8 to 1/2 inch (3–12 mm) long, varying by species. Tachinid flies fall squarely into the category of beneficial insects when it comes to the role they play in our gardens. But it isn’t the adult fly that’s the harbinger of death. Instead, it’s the larval fly.Larvae are pale maggots that occur inside hosts. Because mature larvae of many species exit their host to pupate, the oblong blackish to dark reddish puparium (covering of the pupae) of tachinids can sometimes be observed, such as near a host pupa that was killed and has a distinct emergence hole of the parasitoid.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ac77QfYxDOkzW3WO92 by Soy_Magnus@detroitriotcity.com
       2023-11-23T23:48:42.835922Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho bad taje thats a golden fly they suck shit they bite you, leave MASSIVE holed in thr bite in comparison to other bugs, and theyre alot more smart and faster than horseflys. Fuck those things and fuck you for liking them they tortured me and my dog
       
 (DIR) Post #Ac8YakL7CZOL9C2PS4 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-24T16:27:55.154574Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨The Puss Moth, Cerura vinulais, is well recorded through most of the southern half of the British Isles becoming less common in the north.This distinctive nocturnal moth flies in a single generation between May and July when it is attracted to light.It can be found in a wide range of habitats including moorland, gardens and open woodland.The caterpillars are dark brown at first with a pair of small horn like protuberances on the dorsum behind the head.A pair of red tipped, modified rear claspers, over half the body length long, are raised to warn off predators when disturbed.Within 7 days the caterpillars have changed into a third instar – the subtle shades of brown, yellow and green designed to blend in with the foodplant leaves.The caterpillars continue to feed on top of leaves as they grow. In strong sun light their dark silhouette on the upperside of a leaf may at times be seen when looking up from below.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ac8Yfo64evvwFTPpbM by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-24T16:28:50.058297Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @Soy_Magnus :shrug_akko:
       
 (DIR) Post #Ac8dcmS6oi2a3A6AFc by Soy_Magnus@detroitriotcity.com
       2023-11-24T17:24:09.837182Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho dont ever tag me with a golden fly again nigger boy
       
 (DIR) Post #AcAwkH8DRCn2fj06gC by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-25T20:07:59.067056Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Lysiosquillina maculata, the zebra mantis shrimp, striped mantis shrimp or razor mantis, is a species of mantis shrimp found across the Indo-Pacific region from East Africa to the Galápagos and Hawaiian Islands. At a length up to 40 cm, L. maculata is the largest mantis shrimp in the world. L. maculata may be distinguished from its congener L. sulcata by the greater number of teeth on the last segment of its raptorial claw, and by the colouration of the uropodal endopod, the distal half of which is dark in L. maculata but not in L. sulcata. A small artisanal fishery exists for this species.Lysiosquillina maculata display social monogamy with maternal egg care, meaning the females are the ones taking care of the eggs. Social monogamy is usually attributed to the large and costly to construct burrows of these species. These burrows are used for protection, and as a place to hide and wait for prey. In addition, there is a large risk associated with finding mates. Lysiosquillina maculata also displays sexual dimorphism, with males having larger raptorial appendages, although males and females have similar overall body sizes.The zebra mantis shrimp is an example of a "spearing" mantis shrimp.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcD8XVexhNUnjQutNI by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-26T21:29:33.347842Z
       
       5 likes, 3 repeats
       
       The House Centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) is a yellowish grey centipede with 15 pairs of legs. Originally native to the Mediterranean region, the species has spread to other parts of the world, where it usually lives in human homes. The House Centipede is an insectivore that kills and eats insects.In an act of defence, when one of the house centipedes legs is held down, it drops that leg in hopes that the attacker will be distracted by the temporarily twitching appendage. Unlike most other centipedes, House Centipedes and their close relatives have well-developed, faceted eyes.Outdoors, house centipedes prefer to live in cool, damp places. Most live outside, primarily under large rocks, piles of wood and especially in compost piles.Within the home, these centipedes are found in almost any part of the house, most commonly, they are encountered in basements, bathrooms and lavatories, where there is a lot more water, but they can also be found in dry places like offices, bedrooms and dining rooms.Because they eat household pests, house centipedes are considered among the most beneficial creatures that inhabit human dwellings, but because of their alarming, frightening appearance and painful bite, few homeowners are willing to share a home with them. They do not cause damage to food or furniture.The house centipede is capable of biting a human, but this seldom occurs. When it does, it is no worse than a minor bee sting. The worst one can usually expect from a house centipedes bite is some pain and a slight swelling at the location of the bite.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcEqRosluFm4knQuZc by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-27T17:16:15.748506Z
       
       7 likes, 3 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Triops longicaudatus is commonly known as a tadpole shrimp, because the body superficially resembles a frog larva. Triops longicaudatus is a fairly large tadpole shrimp, with a length of 10 to 40 mm long, a width of 3 to 8 mm, and a mass of 2 to 2.5 g. The body of T. longicaudatus tends to be a brown or grayish-yellow color, and is segmented into a head, thorax, and abdomen.Triops longicaudatus can exhibit several different reproductive methods. While T. longicaudatus may reproduce sexually, it is very rare, and the majority of populations are female-dominated. As such, parthenogenesis is the most common method of reproduction. A third reproductive strategy is selfing (self-fertilization), which can exist in a population that is largely composed of hermaphrodites. In all cases, fertilization is external.Triops longicaudatus has three eyes that are most likely used to identify food and potential partners (if reproduction for the population is sexual). Posterior to the eyes is a dorsal, nuchal organ that is most likely used for chemoreception.These small crustaceans use appendages called phyllopods to push themselves forward in the water. They are constantly moving during the day and are found swimming in the water column. These crustaceans possess exopods which allow them to dig in the mud in search for food.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcF18IY300eISrdKls by harblinger@shitposter.club
       2023-11-27T19:15:59.197830Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho this mf giving off ancient vibes 🗿
       
 (DIR) Post #AcH2fasSMS3h8cXXG4 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-28T18:42:38.208021Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Nearly the same size as the emperor scorpion, the Javanese jungle scorpion is much harder to find, and as a result it’s highly-sought after. It’s native to the rainforests of Indonesia, and as such it likes a humid, wet environment. They’re somewhat aggressive, but they prefer to pinch rather than sting.These venomous arachnids are native to the tropical rainforests of Java, Indonesia, where they can be found hiding under logs and rocks, or burrowed in the ground. Javanese Jungle Scorpions, also known as Heterometrus javanensis, are part of the family Scorpionsidae. They belong to the same genus as the popular pet species, the Emperor Scorpion (Pandinus imperator). However, Javanese Jungle Scorpions are generally larger and more robust in size, with a distinctive orange coloration on their pincers and tail. They can reach lengths of up to 8 inches, with a lifespan of 5-7 years in captivity.Javanese Jungle Scorpions are easily recognizable by their large size and orange coloration on their pincers and tail. They have eight legs and two pincers, or pedipalps, which they use for grasping and tearing apart their prey. They also have a venomous stinger on their tail, which they use for self-defense and capturing prey.Like all scorpions, Javanese Jungle Scorpions undergo a process called metamorphosis, where they go through several stages of development from birth to adulthood. When they are first born, they are called “scorpionids” and are tiny, translucent versions of adult scorpions. They will molt, or shed their exoskeleton, several times as they grow and develop.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcH2rIIPGwbAz3FzrU by scenesbycolleen@freespeechextremist.com
       2023-11-28T18:44:45.331980Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho :blobaww: :patcat:
       
 (DIR) Post #AcIokEHimDvXTTaqtE by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-29T15:15:57.221297Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Nephrops norvegicus, known variously as the Norway lobster, Dublin Bay prawn, shlobster (shrimp-lobster), langoustine (compare langostino) or scampi, is a slim, coral colored lobster that grows up to 25 cm (10 in) long, and is "the most important commercial crustacean in Europe". It is now the only extant species in the genus Nephrops, after several other species were moved to the closely related genus Metanephrops. It lives in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean, and parts of the Mediterranean Sea, but is absent from the Baltic Sea and Black Sea. Adults emerge from their burrows at night to feed on worms and fish. A carapace covers the animal's cephalothorax, while the abdomen is long and segmented, ending in a broad tail fan. The first three pairs of legs bear claws, of which the first are greatly elongated and bear ridges of spines. Of the two pairs of antennae, the second is the longer and thinner. There is a long, spinous rostrum, and the compound eyes are kidney-shaped, providing the name of the genus, from the Greek roots νεφρός (nephros, "kidney") and ὄψ ("eye").Their shells are a light shade of orange and, unlike lobsters’ shells, they don’t change color when they are cooked. The smaller langoustines caught are particularly prized for the sweet meat found in their tails, which you might see being advertised as “scampi” on restaurant menus. The larger specimens might not be quite as tasty, but they do offer up more meat from the body and claws.You might also see langoustines being sold as Dublin Bay prawns or Norway lobster.The langoustine has become hugely important to the Scottish fishing industry, which was decimated by a ban on herring fishing in the 1970s, and Scotland now provides more than half of the amount of langoustines eaten around the world.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcKponl5JjGCvFzYZM by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-11-30T14:37:28.850288Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Clymene moth (The Blessing Moth) is an Erebidae moth indigenous to the eastern parts of North America. English naturalist Peter Brown first described this species in 1776. When opened, the wings appear creamy-yellow, partially bordered in a dark brown line extending inward from the margin lying close to the anal angle. When closed, the color and pattern remain unchanged, with the brownish-black markings forming a cross.The larvae are brownish-black, with a yellow stripe on the mid-dorsal region. Their bodies are covered with spines. The Clymene moth is said to have immense spiritual symbolism. The name Clymene holds great significance in Greek mythology, as it was the name of many people like a Cretan princess, a water nymph, an Orchomenian princess, and so on. Moreover, the wings form a pattern similar to the Holy Cross, especially when closed. Thus, seeing these moths is considered a good omen and a blessing indeed.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcNFMjTocLCOfX6uDw by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-01T18:33:09.587142Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨The Common Buckeye butterfly (Junonia coenia) is brown above. The forewing features two orange bars and two large black eyespots outlined in orange. The hindwing has two eyespots, with the upper one being the largest and containing a magenta crescent.Their name is because the eyespots on these butterflies resemble the shoots of the buckeye (also known as horse chestnut), a type of tree that mostly thrives in North America and Eurasia.It cannot live in freezing temperatures, but moves quickly northward in the spring to most of the United States and south Canada. The population swells in the fall during the southward migration.The Common buckeye caterpillar has a predominantly black thorax. It has light-colored spots that pepper the entirety of the black surface. As the caterpillar grows, the spines become less pronounced.Adults feed mainly on nectar, and occasionally on mud from the edge of puddles (probably for salts and other minerals). These creatures feed on plant matter rich in a bitter-tasting chemical compound called ‘iridoid glycoside’, since predators including wasps, birds, ants, and other small animals prefer consuming caterpillars poor in this compound over those that have a rich concentration of it in their bodies.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcPTYD2SqVYfChbUPo by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-02T20:21:31.568921Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Northern shrimp are protandrous hermaphrodites – they begin life as males and sexually mature at roughly 2½ years old. They transform to females at about 3½ years old. They start spawning in late July in offshore waters, mainly in deep mud basins in the southwestern Gulf of Maine. By early fall, most adult females have pushed their eggs out onto their abdomen. They prey on plankton (tiny floating plants and animals) and bottom-dwelling invertebrates.Northern shrimp are found in the cold waters of the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Arctic Oceans. On the U.S. Atlantic coast, northern shrimp are mainly found in waters off of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.Fishermen mainly use otter trawls to harvest northern shrimp, although some Maine fishermen use traps. Northern shrimp are harvested over soft mud bottoms, which are more resilient to the impacts of trawling compared to structured habitats such as corals. Also, the small mesh in the shrimp otter trawls creates more drag than a groundfish net and can’t be towed as fast for the same size net, reducing the potential impact on shrimp habitat.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcPTkhNTs8Gam1OCdE by Moon@shitposter.club
       2023-12-02T20:23:35.700795Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho > They transform to females at about 3½ years old.:shraggot:
       
 (DIR) Post #AcPU7fRHFLQ3QA7LFY by duponin@udongein.xyz
       2023-12-02T20:27:40.748529Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @Moon @kho :sparkles_trans: 🦐 :sparkles_trans:
       
 (DIR) Post #AcRWghM8hObRj7Swam by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-03T20:06:05.967626Z
       
       3 likes, 2 repeats
       
       The lovebug (Plecia nearctica) is a species of march fly found in parts of Central America and the southeastern United States, especially along the Gulf Coast. It is also known as the honeymoon fly or double-headed bug. As for lovebugs looking strange when flying together attached, they are actually mating. During the mating process, the male lovebug attaches to the female lovebug and only disengages during the daytime while resting on vegetation never during flight or at night, Fasulo said. Successful mating takes as much as 12 hours, and the female lovebug dies within 86 hours of laying eggs. Lovebugs' larvae feed on partially decayed vegetation in the landscape and, in this respect, are beneficial to humans. Adults primarily feed on nectar from various plants, particularly sweet clover, goldenrod, and Brazilian pepper. The lovebug is considered a nuisance by many motorists, especially in Florida, due to its swarming behavior during the species' mating season.Love bug swarms can become so dense that they can reduce visibility for drivers on the road. It’s important that you take particular care when driving in May and September, which are their main breeding months. Some areas may have signs warning you that bug swarms are possible.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcRX4NEn9OzAHRJnwu by 6EQUJ5@freespeechextremist.com
       2023-12-03T20:10:22.984300Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho BUG SEXO OOOUUOOHJJ
       
 (DIR) Post #AcTrxnoWQeaA21etjk by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-04T23:13:55.056871Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Executioner wasps are a species of social wasp found in Central and South America, mostly being spotted in Mexico, Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil. Though they’re not commonly found in the United States, they are sometimes discovered in Texas.Nicknamed the King of Sting, the executioner wasp is considered the most venomous wasp in the world with the most painful sting of them all. The pain encountered once stung is due to the histamine (inflammation, dilates blood vessels, affects muscle contractions) and norepinephrines (increases heart rate) properties in their venom that break down living cells and tissues around the sting site. It has a near unparalleled burning and throbbing sensation that can leave the effected area swollen and painful for days following the initial sting. Chances are, you would be okay if you got stung. But, if you’re allergic to insect stings, or if you’re a child or elderly individual, this would be one of the very worst insects to get stung by and it could certainly lead to your death.Executioner wasps mainly feed on caterpillars before they turn into moths and butterflies. This gnarly insect often times decapitates its prey, much like that of a praying mantis. They have an impressive longevity to them, generally living between 6-and-18 months, which is just astounding when considering the lifespan of other insects.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcVZCxBeLvxcdGuK9Y by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-05T18:53:10.855279Z
       
       2 likes, 3 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨The cuckoo wasp is a beautiful insect that is very complex. Its colors include beautiful blues and greens, and they are often spotted when trying to become parasites to other insects. However, they have a tough exterior body structure that makes it difficult for other insects to sting and paralyze them.To lay their eggs, they have the ability to change their smell, so other insects don’t always know what they’re doing. They also can curl their body into a ball, which is unlike other varieties of wasps. They can complete this maneuver when they are being threatened by a host of other insects.The cuckoo wasp is also known as the emerald wasp from the family Chrysididae. There are more than 3,000 different species of Cuckoo wasp, and they are unique because of their very brightly colored body and wings.Cuckoo wasps are solitary in nature, so they don’t build large nests with other wasps of their kind. The females hide in various spots nearby where they’re able to watch their eggs/larvae. They know when the host wasp has come and gone from the nest, and they will wait until the coast is clear.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcXcBn2bHIhv3QjOXA by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-06T18:36:00.700608Z
       
       4 likes, 3 repeats
       
       The spider species Phrynarachne ceylonica, commonly known as Bird-dung Crab Spider, belongs to the genus Phrynarachne, in the family Thomisidae.This spider has one of the most effective camouflages of all animals; its body is covered on blobs and warts that give it the appearance of a fresh piece of bird excrement; it often produces a small thread of white silk and sits on it so that it looks like the white stains caused by bird droppings falling onto leaves. And as if this was not amazing enough, it also smells like poop. This camouflage has a double function; it makes the spider a rather unappetizing prey for most animals (especially birds themselves), and it serves as a lure for the small, excrement-loving insects which are the spider’s favorite prey. These spiders are found in Asia, from Indonesia to Japan. “Birds, almost all with good eyesight, will not go for what appears to be their own turd for food,” says Joseph K.H. Koh of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in Singapore.The spider’s body has a glossy surface that gives it a “wet” look of fresh faeces, says Koh. “The nodules on the body and rough-edges of the legs further reinforce the ‘shitty’ look – pardon the rudeness,” he says.When the spider moves, the illusion disintegrates. “The ‘walking poop’ no longer looks like a piece of dropping, especially with its legs spread out,” Koh says.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcXeZRC0MRNQ9RXA5Q by harblinger@shitposter.club
       2023-12-06T19:02:41.477526Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho imagine the smell
       
 (DIR) Post #AcXkYQYHrAzZbFrEem by koropokkur@nicecrew.digital
       2023-12-06T19:06:01.468227Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       tfw look and no arthropod of the day.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcZkK5WhcZ9OeVCOhc by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-07T19:16:33.261402Z
       
       5 likes, 2 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 Northern krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica) is a species of krill that lives in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is an important component of the zooplankton, providing food for whales, seals, fish and birds. (In the Southern Ocean, Antarctic krill Euphausia superba fills a similar role.) M. norvegica is the only species recognised in the genus Meganyctiphanes.The morphology of M. norvegica (Northern krill) was first described by M. Sars (1857) as follows:"Whitish translucent, spotted above with red. Cephalothorax equalling a third to three-eighths of the whole body in length; with the forehead very short and truncated, not reaching the slender stalks of the very large eyes, with the median anterior edge angular (rostrum rudimentary), with a sharp spine on both sides of the triangle….only seven pairs of gills with none on the first pair of feet."Historically, much of what we have learnt about Northern krill has been obtained through the deployment and analysis of trawled-nets. Net sampling remains the standard method with which to determine the size-structure of krill populations and to obtain specimens for incubation and experimentation.
       
 (DIR) Post #Acbvr85JVnDeYQVU6i by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-08T20:35:13.284277Z
       
       3 likes, 3 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Achrioptera fallax is a stick insect species found in Madagascar.The males are a bright electric blue (with greenish tints) and have two rows of reddish orange spines along the edges of the femur. There are also dark colored spines going along the sides and underneath the thorax. Males are brachypterous (incapable of flight) and have small reduced wings. The forewings are a bright yellow; the hind wings have a yellow ridge and are primarily red with a black center.The 7th and 8th tergum (abdominal segments) both extend outwards along the sides, giving it the gradual shape of a hexagon. The 9th tergite is like the rest of the abdomen but has a pair of cerci for mating. Cerci are like claspers (as seen in dragonflies) that help the male grasp the female during copulation. Females have a duller coloration. They are a light brown with red spines covering the entire thorax, as well as the top of the head, where males lack spines.
       
 (DIR) Post #AceD88s3vdm3S7vVRI by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-09T22:58:12.083436Z
       
       2 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 Icerya purchasi (common name: cottony cushion scale) is a scale insect that feeds on more than 80 families of woody plants, most notably on Citrus and Pittosporum. Originally described in 1878 from specimens collected in New Zealand as pests of kangaroo acacia and named by W.M. Maskell "after the Rev. Dr. Purchas who, believed, first found it", it is now found worldwide where citrus crops are grown. The cottony cushion scale originates from Australia.This scale infests twigs and branches. The mature hermaphrodite is oval in shape, reddish-brown with black hairs, 5 mm long. When mature, the insect remains stationary, attaches itself to the plant by waxy secretions, and produces a white egg sac in grooves, by extrusion, in the body which encases hundreds of red eggs. The egg sac will grow to be two to three times as long as the body. Newly hatched nymphs are the primary dispersal stage, with dispersion known to occur by wind and by crawling.Males are rare in hermaphroditic species of Icerya. Males are haploid while females are diploid. Females have an ovitestis that is capable of producing both sperm and oocytes which fertilize internally to produce diploid offspring (females) through a form of hermaphroditism. The cells of the ovitestis are haploid and are derived from excess sperm during matings with males. This has been termed as 'parasitic tissue' and theoretical studies have examined this as a form of sexual conflict and have examined the possible fates and fitness consequences since females can produce daughters by mating with males or using their parasitic male cell lines.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcfuaYhzwsc8skyXse by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-10T18:39:52.130623Z
       
       11 likes, 10 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 The blue-fronted dancer (Argia apicalis) is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae, native to parts of North America. This damselfly ranges in length between about 33 and 40 mm (1.3 and 1.6 in). Most males have a blue thorax, the plates being separated by a few black lines, and also have a color-tipped abdomen, segments eight, nine and ten being bright blue. The remaining segments are dark brown. However the color of the thorax of Argia apicalis is variable and some males can be greyish-black rather than blue. They can change from one phase to the other and back again over the course of several days, with several intervening variations on the way; neither color phase seems to be particularly related to age or sexual maturity.Adults are on the wing from mid-summer onwards. Males often patrol small territories over water but females only visit water when ready to mate. Copulation soon follows the arrival of the female, and the pair flies around the pond in tandem, investigating sites for egg-laying. The female begins ovipositing while still linked to the male and often continues to lay after he has flown off. The eggs are laid in mats of willow roots, among floating driftwood, on bits of floating board and on living, but horizontal, Helenium stems. By this time, the male is no longer aggressive towards other males, and several females use the same sites for egg deposition.
       
 (DIR) Post #AciJUyVI16SCJhNwUy by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-11T22:28:24.380554Z
       
       8 likes, 5 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Although it has a ferocious appearance, the hickory horned devil is harmless. This worm starts as a tiny caterpillar after hatching from one of hundreds of eggs laid by a regal moth. Over a matter of weeks, it grows and molts until it reaches its amazing mature size (almost 6 inches!). The fully-grown hickory horned devil has a brown head, dark green body, black prolegs and numerous spines. Each body segment has four or more short, black spines around in a row around it. The two body segments toward the front have four long projections each that are brown at the base, black at the tip and curve back. These are the "horns" that give the caterpillar its ferocious appearance and name. The "horns" are sometimes 3/4 inch long. Mature hickory horned devils crawl to the soil and dig in to form a subterranean cell in which they molt into a pupal stage. The shiny, dark-brown pupa is about two inches long (or even longer) and is somewhat cylindrical. The fall, winter and spring is spent as a pupa in the soil. Next summer, the insect molts into the regal moth. Regal moths are large and have stout bodies. Females (wingspan up to 6 inches) are larger than males. The head and body are orange-red and yellow spots and markings. One reason that hickory horned devils are such a surprise is that they are actually kind of rare. In spite of their large and forbidding appearance, birds are apparently fond of them for food. Not only that, but parasites and diseases also kill a portion of the population. Consequently, very few of the hundreds of eggs laid by regal moths successfully develop and produce offspring of their own.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ack80eyxK3MVu9WVg8 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-12T19:29:02.322839Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Dictyopharidae is the 6th largest family of planthoppers worldwide, with 156 genera and 720 species at present (Bourgoin 2016). Dictyopharidae is represented north of Mexico by 14 genera and 85 species. The southwest includes nearly all species known from the contiguous United States.Dictyopharids feed on a variety of plants with adults and nymphs both found on above-ground portions of plants. Most species are associated with dicots in a variety of plant families, and are most often reported as monophagous (Wilson et al. 1994).The species seen in these images is nicknamed the cross-eyed planthopper, and is listed as found in Indonesia.> In the time between hatching and becoming full-grown adults, tiny planthopper nymphs put on a flashy show. The planthoppers can secrete a waxy substance from their abdomen that results in strange, fiber optic-like tails. These decorations serve at least two purposes: to encourage predators to "ooh, ahh" instead of eating them, and to help them glide as they fall.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcmBObg9wYSEmxlHX6 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-13T19:16:27.733001Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 Atrax sutherlandi is a species of Australian funnel-web spider found in forests on the far southern coast of New South Wales and in eastern Victoria. It was named after Struan Sutherland, whose work resulted in a successful funnel-web spider antivenom.Normally, A. sutherlandi has a glossy black back and chelicerae ("fangs"), as well as a deep-brown or plum-colored underbelly. An adult grows to a length of 2 inches (5 cm).Its legs are powerful and covered in fine, black hairs, making it an impressive sight to behold. As a funnel-web spider, Atrax sutherlandi constructs a burrow in the ground and waits for prey to wander too close before striking with lightning-fast reflexes.Despite its venomous bite, Atrax sutherlandi is a fascinating and highly valued species for arachnid collectors. With proper care and attention, this spider can live for several years.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcoHBkVKo86yR8s22C by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-14T19:30:47.477368Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 Also called crab lice or “crabs,” pubic lice are parasitic insects found primarily in the pubic or genital area of humans. Pubic lice infestation is found worldwide and occurs in all races, ethnic groups, and levels of society.The adult pubic louse resembles a miniature crab when viewed through a strong magnifying glass. Pubic lice have six legs; their two front legs are very large and look like the pincher claws of a crab. This is how they got the nickname “crabs.” Pubic lice are tan to grayish-white in color. Females lay nits and are usually larger than males. To live, lice must feed on blood. If the louse falls off a person, it dies within 1–2 days.Pubic lice move by crawling, because they cannot hop or fly. They usually spread through sexual contact. Occasionally, they may spread through physical contact with a person who has pubic lice, or through contact with clothing, beds, bed linens, or towels that were used by a person with pubic lice. You cannot get pubic lice from animals.
       
 (DIR) Post #Acqij0KVBqxDdr7cxc by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-15T23:48:44.871943Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Also known as buffalo gnats because of their humpbacked appearance, black flies (Simuliidae) are small (up to one-eighth of an inch long) dark flies that typically appear in late spring and early summer when they swarm and bite birds and mammals, including domestic animals and people.Males and females feed on nectar. Male black flies do not bite, but females of most species must feed on blood to produce eggs. Some prefer to bite one type of host. Some species bite people in certain locales, but do not bite in other parts of the species’ range.Like horse and deer flies, black flies bite using their mouthparts like scissors to cut into skin and lap up the blood. This results in painful bites that can produce bleeding, itching, inflammation and swelling, as well as allergic reactions that can be life-threatening. The flies may enter noses, ears and mouths, causing further discomfort. Domestic animals, especially poultry and exotic birds, can be killed by black fly attacks.Black flies are aquatic insects that typically prefer clean, fast-running water. Females lay hundreds of triangular eggs in or near the water. Some crawl beneath the surface to deposit eggs on submerged objects such as rocks. The worm-like larvae hatching from these eggs are typically less than half an inch long and shaped like an hourglass.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcqiwVfLzfxqauJbAO by coolboymew@shitposter.club
       2023-12-15T23:51:08.605627Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho so these are the fuckers that bites you when you swim in a swimming pool
       
 (DIR) Post #AcqlK2jXPpIZihcb6u by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-16T00:17:51.665783Z
       
       2 likes, 1 repeats
       
       @coolboymew
       
 (DIR) Post #Acqq84xboFrGvGJkQq by coolboymew@shitposter.club
       2023-12-16T01:11:38.525033Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho lmao
       
 (DIR) Post #AcsLOpCkvwE6iWpMTw by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-16T18:36:49.142588Z
       
       2 likes, 2 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 Umbonia spinosa can be distinguished from other members of its genus by the appearance of its elongated pronotum, or dorsal horn. The dorsal horn is located between or just behind its humerals and they possess a short metopidium. The dorsal horn itself is straight and the base of the plate is yellow, testaceous or pale green, with red or yellow vittae (stripes) at each side, though sometimes U. spinosa can be characterized by black vittae. It also has an interesting egg survival technique, where “females dig the nest during the nesting cycle”. The dorsal horn gradually tapers to a point from base to summit, similar to a thorn in appearance.Umbonia spinosa has been found in South and Central America, Mexico, and southern Florida. In general, they tend to reside in more subtropical environments. In Central America, they congregate on the branches of the Persian silk tree (Albizia julibrissin) for mating and overwintering, and are also found on the bean tree (Inga edulis). Female Umbonia spinosa uses those trees to lay their eggs in by making round holes in them. The trees are also used as a source of food, the Umbonia spinosa uses its mouth parts to ingest sap from the trees.The juvenile form of Umbonia spinosa is historically considered edible by the indigenous peoples of South America, while their spines are still soft after molting.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcuvXisJozsAMHjKDY by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-18T00:31:13.011828Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 The dragon mantis (Stenophylla lobivertex) is a rare, leaf-mimicking insect found in the rainforests of Ecuador and Peru that measures about 1.6 inches long. This species’ name comes from its flattened body that looks like a dragon.Its wings, unlike other mantids, are transparent enough to let sun rays pass through. They are mostly gray-green in color, with distinctive bright yellow markings and a mottled body that changes from pale green to light brown. Despite their small size, Stenophylla lobivertex are quite active creatures and are characterized by their fast movements. They have short legs that squeeze together at different angles and a long, curved abdomen. They also have powerful forelegs that are serrated and end in a pincer-like shape, which they use to grab and hold onto prey. Dragon Mantises have large compound eyes that are surrounded by a fringe of small spines.They also have three simple eyes, two located above their compound eyes and one on the top of their head.When disturbed, the Dragon Mantis spreads its wings wide and turns bright shades of yellow and green.It can also extend its rear legs to make itself look larger, as a defense mechanism against predators.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcwTXDniwgNfaETPcm by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-18T18:26:49.125185Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 Trichonephila clavipes females are among the largest non-tarantula-like spiders in North America and are perhaps the largest orb-weavers in this country. Females range from 24 mm to 40 mm in length. The female color pattern, consisting of silvery carapace, yellow spots on a dull orange to tan cylindrical body, brown and orange banded legs, plus the hair brushes (gaiters) on the tibial segment of legs, I, II, and IV, make this spider one of the most easily recognized. The males, on the other hand, are rather inconspicuous dark brown, slender spiders averaging 6 mm in length which would often go unnoticed if not for the fact that they are often found in the webs of females. Special behaviors and body features have evolved in Trichonephila to protect against overheating. The silvery carapace reflects sunlight, while the long, cylindrical body may be pointed directly at the sun, thus reducing the area of exposed body surface. Force evaporative cooling may be employed by manipulating a drop of fluid with the chelicerae. Cooling responses generally occur above 35°C. The web does not have to be perpendicular to the sun in order for the spider to employ orientation; in fact, webs are generally placed so as to capture the most insects regardless of the sun's position, and the spider's orientation movements can be quite complex.
       
 (DIR) Post #AcyVULO6ryrATAATmy by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-19T17:58:08.056117Z
       
       2 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 At 8 to 11 millimeters in length, jagged ambush bugs (Phymata species) are small and mighty garden predators. Adults have an angular, greenish yellow, white, and brown bodies with small wings that leave the jagged sides of their abdomens exposed. Their forelegs are thickened with muscles and resemble the raptors of a praying mantis; like mantids, those legs are used to snatch and hold prey. Ambush bugs have short beaks that pierce into their prey and secrete saliva to dissolve the insect’s internal organs. The final segment of their antennae is slightly clubbed.Jagged ambush bugs can be found throughout North America in southern Canada, most of the United States, and northern Mexico. They can often be seen in open meadows and gardens on the flowers of prairie plants like goldenrod and aster, where their body coloring will keep them hidden from potential prey. Although smaller than their wheel and assassin bug cousins in the Reduviidae family, jagged ambush bugs are still voracious predators. As the name implies, they ambush their prey by sitting motionless and waiting for the right insect to pass by. These can be flies, small moths, beetle larvae, and other soft-bodied true bugs who are attracted to the plants the Phymata species sit on. They are also capable of catching prey much larger than themselves like bumble bees and butterflies.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ad0oRxrGcvwnz4qdk0 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-20T20:40:01.281045Z
       
       2 likes, 2 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨The beautiful demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) is a species of damselfly belonging to the family Calopterygidae. It is found in Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. It is often found along fast-flowing waters.The male usually has much more extensive pigmentation on the wings than other Calopteryx species in its range. In the southeast of its range (the Balkans and Turkey), the wings are entirely metallic blue. In other areas, the wings have clear spots at the base and the tip. Immature males have brown wings, as the metallic blue wing color develops only with age. They have metallic blue-green bodies and blue-green eyes.The female has dark brown iridescent wings, a white patch near the tip of the wings (called a pseudopterostigma) and a metallic green body with a bronze tip of the abdomen.Mating takes place in a way that for the genus Calopteryx and is typical of an eye-catching advertising behavior precedes. The females fly over the water, always in search of suitable nesting places and fly it through the territories of males. The males who recognize the females to the reflections of the moving wings, fly towards it, once they have crossed the border area. They use a striking Schwirrflug that only in the courtship will be shown, and demonstrate the underside of its abdomen raised high. The last three segments of it are much brighter and are referred to as a "lantern" that will be presented.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ad0ojmVVZI77zaAMjo by Moon@shitposter.club
       2023-12-20T20:43:10.396543Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho good one
       
 (DIR) Post #Ad2xigwY3aKaLmHz0q by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-21T21:33:18.803999Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus Anoplognathus, which belongs to the subfamily Rutelinae. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30 mm long) members of the scarab family that are noisy and clumsy fliers, similar to the cockchafers of Europe. They typically have elytra that are dark or light brown, or green, while some species have a green-yellow iridescence.The genus includes 35 species, several of which have been implicated in dieback of eucalypts. Anoplognathus pallidicollis is the species most commonly observed and associated with the name of Christmas beetle. However, there is a tendency for the name Christmas beetle to be used more ambiguously to refer to other metallic beetles not in this family, such as the stag beetle genus Lamprima. The smaller Argentine lawn beetle, Cyclocephala signaticollis, is prevalent in December and may also be referred to as a "Christmas beetle", labelled by the Australian Museum as an "impostor".
       
 (DIR) Post #Ad4lAQZiOJIVx3mlc0 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-22T18:22:05.036531Z
       
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       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 Thunder flies or thrips, or thripids as they're also known, are small black insects with long bodies and stings in their tails, which they use to puncture plants and other insects they consume. Thunder flies can be annoying in your house and yard because they destroy your garden plants and food. Thrips are small hemimetabolic insects with a distinctive cigar-shaped body plan. They are elongated with transversely constricted bodies. They range in size from 0.5 to 14 mm (0.02 to 0.55 in) in length for the larger predatory thrips, but most thrips are about 1 mm in length. Flight-capable thrips have two similar, strap-like pairs of wings with a fringe of bristles. The wings are folded back over the body at rest. Their legs usually end in two tarsal segments with a bladder-like structure known as an "arolium" at the pretarsus. This structure can be everted by means of hemolymph pressure, enabling the insect to walk on vertical surfaces. They have compound eyes consisting of a small number of ommatidia and three ocelli or simple eyes on the head.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ad7B31TOJ88hCEsRfs by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-23T22:21:29.927201Z
       
       2 likes, 2 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨A. virginiensis is a rather striking and, with a length of at least 5 cm (2 in), fairly large millipede found all around the eastern side of North America.Like other millipedes the world over, A. virginiensis prefers dark and damp places where the musty air carries the thick scent of moss and fungus, shed leaves and rotting wood.And, like other millipedes the world over, A. virginiensis feasts on the very same decaying plant matter. They're like vultures for plants, except we don't see it that way because we've never gotten round to taking the plant experience seriously.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ad8nLuFRNvWNhsk96O by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-24T17:05:24.760751Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨The name, cellar spider, comes from the location where they are often found: damp cellars, basements, and crawl spaces. They have very long, thin legs and are often confused with the harvestmen or daddylonglegs.The origin of tinsel on Christmas trees comes from an old folk legend about common house spider webs:A poor but hardworking widow once lived in a small hut with her children. One summer day, a pine cone fell on the earthen floor of the hut and took root. The widow's children cared for the tree, excited at the prospect of having a Christmas tree by winter. The tree grew, but when Christmas Eve arrived, they could not afford to decorate it. The children sadly went to bed and fell asleep. Early the next morning, they woke up and saw the tree covered with cobwebs. When they opened the windows, the first rays of sunlight touched the webs and turned them into gold and silver. The widow and her children were overjoyed. From then on, they never lived in poverty again.
       
 (DIR) Post #AdB1wjQiMBEmXmOG6i by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-25T18:58:21.658054Z
       
       1 likes, 2 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨The Christmas Island red crab (Gecarcoidea natalis) is a land crab famous for its epic annual mass migration to the sea to spawn.Christmas Island red crabs are large crabs with bodies measuring 4.6 inches in width. Males tend to be larger than females, with larger claws and a narrower abdomens. They have claws of equal size, unless one has been damaged and has regenerated. The crabs are usually bright red, but orange or purple crabs sometimes occur.The crabs are omnivorous scavengers. They feed on fruit, seedlings, fallen leaves, flowers, human rubbish, the giant African land snail, and dead animals. They also cannibalize other Christmas Island red crabs.Christmas Island red crabs reach sexual maturity around 4 and 5 years of age. At the beginning of the rainy season (October to November), the crabs increase activity and travel to the coast for spawning. The timing is linked to the phase of the moon.
       
 (DIR) Post #AdDDh7DdjGiNSPVxwm by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-26T20:19:25.269444Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 The peacock pansy butterflies are recognized by their striking eyespots. The fascinating butterflies are native to South Asian countries. The upperside of peacock fansy’s wings are yellowish brown in color with brown edges. There are also distinct costal bars and attractive ‘peacock eyespots’ on the wings. The eyespots on the lower part of the wings become more prominent and attractive. The patterns on underside peacock pansy’s wing’s changes with season. Unlike dry season more brightfull patterns and eyespots form on the wings in wet season. Compare to upperside the costal bars on the edges of underside of their wings are appears to be dull and less attractive.It takes 3 – 5 days to hatch the eggs of peacock pansy. The leaves of host plant become main food of caterpillars. It also takes another 5-6 days for development as a butterfly from pupa. The adult peacock pansy has a wingspan between 54-62 mm. They mainly prefers to live in gardens and open areas.
       
 (DIR) Post #AdF9Ztod9Yc8MN2Y7c by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-27T18:42:43.259812Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Four-lined plant bug (Poecalocapsus linectus) is a piecing/sucking true bug that can cause unsightly damage to perennials, herbs, woody shrubs and some leafy vegetable plants, but damage is generally cosmetic and no control measures may be necessary. These insects are very small and are usually only discovered because of their tell-tale feeding damage.Spots where feeding has occurred  are small, somewhat circular and uniform with smooth edges. Contributing to the illusion of disease is the fact that these insects are fast moving, frequently dropping to the ground, and hiding under foliage or flying away when disturbed, so they may not be seen on.the plants. A third reason people might think this is a disease is that dead plant tissue may drop out, leaving a shot hole. Many leaf spot diseases also have this symptom.As the common name suggests, adults of this true bug have four black longitudinal stripes surrounded by yellow to yellow-green on the leathery part of the wing covers. Beyond this, the membranous part of the wings is black. The head and body are a golden yellow with yellow-green legs that have black markings. Antennae are black. Adults are one-quarter inch in length. Nymphs are smaller, wingless, brightly-colored yellow to red, with black spots in rows on the segments of the abdomen. Mouthparts of adults and nymphs are piercing-sucking.
       
 (DIR) Post #AdHMQR1sUwZGC7yR4C by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-28T20:16:05.900053Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Blister beetles are beetles of the family Meloidae, so called for their defensive secretion of a blistering agent, cantharidin. About 7,500 species are known worldwide. Many are conspicuous and some are aposematically colored, announcing their toxicity to would-be predators. Unlike some insects, blister beetles don’t have stingers, nor are their jaws strong enough to break human skin.The welts or blisters on your skin are a reaction to cantharidin, an odorless, colorless chemical the beetle releases to protect itself against its enemies.Although cantharidin is highly toxic and dangerous to a blister beetle’s enemies, it’s not toxic to human skin. Contact with the substance, however, can cause a local reaction.
       
 (DIR) Post #AdHvo6rCe7bOyf0N4S by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-29T02:52:33.077837Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       
       
 (DIR) Post #AdJNJuXhOJK06VSyeG by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-29T19:35:32.818938Z
       
       5 likes, 6 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 The mature pinktoe tarantula has a dark-colored body and pinkish feet, hence its name. Juvenile specimens, however, have pinkish bodies and dark-colored feet and undergo a reversal in their coloration as they approach adulthood at 4–5 years. A fully grown Pinktoe tarantula can grow up to six inches in length. They have a short lifespan, with males living 2–3 years, and females living between 6–9 years.Dimorphism has been shown in the mature stages of males and females, with males having uniformly barbed urticating hairs, while females are found only at the proximal end. Mature males also exhibit a pair of hooks on the last segment of the pedipalps, used during construction of "sperm webs" and courtship behaviors.They are an ambush predator, using webbing as a trap and to sense movement from prey. With an enriched environment, they can display an array of behaviors such as active hunting, foraging, and even construction such as nest and tunnel building with nearby debris. The pinktoe tarantula consumes mostly insect prey and is an aggressive feeder. Some of its prey includes crickets, wax moths, grasshoppers, cockroaches and small tree frogs. They sometimes consume small lizards such as Anolis, but vertebrates usually are not a major contributor to its diet.
       
 (DIR) Post #AdJNwg7awSr6fhk4ie by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-29T19:42:33.202397Z
       
       1 likes, 2 repeats
       
       which one of you did this "crab of the day" on mati today :alex4:
       
 (DIR) Post #AdLT7mUYUArRhXVzs0 by kho@shitposter.club
       2023-12-30T19:50:00.196820Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Aenigmatinea glatzella: The moth is small, about the size of a five cent piece when its wings are outstretched, and looks more like a caddis-fly than a moth. Although tiny, they are very beautiful: males look as though they’ve been sprinkled with gold dust, females are metallic purple, and both have feathery edges fringing their wings.The genus name, Aenigmatinea, is well-chosen (it contains the word 'enigma'): there are several puzzling things about this moth that made it difficult to place in an evolutionary framework. Its wings and genitalia showed it to be primitive. The question was how primitive. Even the most primitive moths have jaws, and one of the first steps in the evolution of ‘advanced’ moths and butterflies is the development of a tongue. Aenigmatinea’s mouthparts are almost entirely reduced; it has neither jaws nor tongue.It lives on Southern Cypress-pine trees (Callitris gracilis), a very ancient element of our flora dating back to the supercontinent Gondwana.The adult moths are short-lived. In just one day they emerge from their cocoons, mate, females lay their eggs, and then die.
       
 (DIR) Post #AdO3SjN3GnhuljDKyW by kho@shitposter.club
       2024-01-01T01:46:34.093633Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Oh shit almost forgot today!🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨This species of bug (Pselliopus barberi) is identified by its mostly orange body. Its round elongated body has black lines and black stripes across its legs. These bugs may appear slightly amber in certain regions.Orange Assassin Bugs are part of a few hundred types of species of assassin bugs found in the US.It’s often found around trees, especially on the bark where it may not be as easy to spot by its prey. Orange Assassin bugs consume a wide range of insects that come in their range.
       
 (DIR) Post #AdPWaPN2bbwesvBM0m by kho@shitposter.club
       2024-01-01T18:47:38.430435Z
       
       4 likes, 2 repeats
       
       🚨 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.
       
 (DIR) Post #AdPX2T7GH1CUbrBJzM by kho@shitposter.club
       2024-01-01T18:52:37.033332Z
       
       2 likes, 1 repeats
       
       
       
 (DIR) Post #AdPX6tejXamU50wvCa by coolboymew@shitposter.club
       2024-01-01T18:53:27.798592Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho bruh it has the devil's horns
       
 (DIR) Post #AdRydaEPrqnyTFN0vQ by kho@shitposter.club
       2024-01-02T23:11:22.625611Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Soldier beetles are a common outdoor insect that can be abundant accidental invaders as either larvae or adults. Soldier beetles are nicknamed leatherwings because of their soft, clothlike wing covers, which when brightly colored are reminiscent of uniforms. The beetles are elongate, soft-bodied and about 1/2-inch long. Colors vary from yellow to red with brown or black wings or trim. Soldier beetles resemble lightning bugs but do not have light-producing organs.Both adults and larvae are predacious and feed on other insects. The adults eat caterpillars, aphids, and other soft-bodied insects and can be important predators. As they lie in wait for prey on flowers such as goldenrod they may feed on nectar and pollen but they do no damage to the plants.These black and orange flying insects are often seen flying around flowers and can be easily mistaken for wasps.
       
 (DIR) Post #AdTiLNisQTONVqpvhg by kho@shitposter.club
       2024-01-03T19:18:12.918071Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 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.
       
 (DIR) Post #AdVaOUsPsF3PFfC1rM by kho@shitposter.club
       2024-01-04T16:58:33.813245Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨The tarantula hawk, scientifically known as Pepsis, is a formidable wasp species found in the Southwestern United States, distinguished by its striking metallic blue or black body and vibrant orange wings. Its notoriety extends beyond its appearance to its unique and somewhat macabre reproductive strategy. Females seek out tarantulas, engaging in fierce battles to paralyze the spiders with potent venom. Subdued tarantulas are then dragged to burrows, where the wasp lays an egg. The hatching larva feeds on the still-living host, strategically avoiding vital organs. While tarantula hawks play a crucial role in ecosystem balance by controlling tarantula populations, their sting is infamous for its intensity, ranking among the most painful insect stings. Despite their formidable appearance, tarantula hawks are generally non-aggressive unless provoked, offering a fascinating glimpse into the intricate dynamics of predator-prey relationships and a reminder of their potential danger to humans.
       
 (DIR) Post #AdXoreQFFXysvfjQw4 by kho@shitposter.club
       2024-01-05T18:50:08.220353Z
       
       4 likes, 3 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 The adult ornate bella moth is a rather small moth (wingspan 3.0 to 4.5 cm). The more common "bella" form has the front wings yellow with white bands each containing a row of black dots, and the hindwings bright pink with an irregular marginal black band. The paler form originally designated "ornatrix" is restricted to southern Florida and southern Texas. The bella moth has two generations northwardbut may breed continuously in the southernmost partsof its range. Eggs are laid in clusters on the foliage.Upon hatching, the young larvae feed on the foliage,but later move to the pods which they bore into tofeed on the seeds. Upon reaching maturity, larvae migrate from the host plant to pupate in shelteredsituations under loose bark on nearby trees, in thickvegetation, or in debris.Adult bella moths live approximately threeweeks and females mate on average four to five times-- each time receiving additional nutrients andalkaloids via the spermatophores. The additionalnutrients and alkaloids allow the female to lay alarger number of eggs than would otherwise bepossible and also to continue to invest sufficientamounts of alkaloids in the eggs.
       
 (DIR) Post #AdXpCc39GXwXeUvLQ8 by AngryWraith@poa.st
       2024-01-05T18:53:55.608158Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       @kho >live three weeksWell... that was better than one of my last relationships.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ada2RhKbbBbs63X5EW by kho@shitposter.club
       2024-01-06T20:31:44.346414Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       🚨 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.
       
 (DIR) Post #AdbxKSO2AqVotM4tyy by kho@shitposter.club
       2024-01-07T18:43:49.421678Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨Eumastacidae are a family of grasshoppers sometimes known as monkey- or matchstick grasshoppers. They usually have thin legs that are held folded at right angles to the body, sometimes close to the horizontal plane. Many species are wingless and the head is at an angle with the top of the head often jutting above the line of the thorax and abdomen. They have three segmented tarsi and have a short antenna with a knobby organ at the tip. They do not have a prosternal spine or tympanum. Most species are tropical and the diversity is greater in the Old World. They are considered primitive within the Orthoptera and feed on algae, ferns and gymnosperms, the more ancient plant groups. This colorful Monkey Grasshopper with the scientific name Eumastax vittata napoana in the family Eumastacidae is common in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador.
       
 (DIR) Post #AdeKRsqUsu7aF4p0JU by kho@shitposter.club
       2024-01-08T22:12:18.173852Z
       
       1 likes, 6 repeats
       
       🚨 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.
       
 (DIR) Post #AdgEXIRIdrTDJLrJRY by kho@shitposter.club
       2024-01-09T20:13:57.495760Z
       
       3 likes, 2 repeats
       
       🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨The Australian Walking Stick is a large insect that can reach up to seven inches in length. These bugs have a distinct twig-like appearance. This helps them blend in with their surroundings and avoid predators.Adults can release a defensive odor that humans might not find offensive as it “is rather reminiscent of peanut butter, vinegar or toffee”.This stick insect is sexually dimorphic; that is, the male and female look very different.Female adult are covered with thorn-like spikes for defense and camouflage. Their long, rounded bodies grow to about 8 inches (20 cm) long. The males are small and thinner, growing only about 11 cm in length and have three ocelli. Males lack the thorny growths except for spikes around their heads. They have long wings and are good flyers who readily take to the air if disturbed or in search of females.
       
 (DIR) Post #Ai64yCO2OhAMUlj3i4 by m0n5t3r@ps.m0n5t3r.info
       2024-03-17T14:52:43.809502Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @kho a 25 inch jumping spider would be intimidating, ngl :D