The Nature Photography Thread

[ConcinusMan]

Terrible news. Well, sort of.

The chrysalis was definitely that of a Swallowtail butterfly. It "hatched". But here's the catch; what I got was 8 maggots emerging, leaving just a hollowed out shell. Not quite sure what kind of maggots, but they all went to pupa stage within 24 hours of emerging.

From what I could tell, they looked like wasp larvae. I can only conclude that the caterpillar was victim to a parasitic wasp.

For the sake of scientific curiosity, I'm now waiting for those 8 pupae to "hatch" out. I have a very strong suspicion that I will end up with 8 wasps.

[katach]

That's a bummer Richard. Sorry.

[PINJOHN]

This young Wolf spider(?) was found on the living room floor after my daughter Molly found it crawling on her.
She of course over reacted and ordered the poor thing killed.
I on the other hand felt like protecting it. I won out as this young spider was taken to the basement to live out its life.

I love these guys.

OK Steve you have only your self to blame when the radon gas from the natural rocks in your area leak into you basement and mixes with the carbon dioxide there and turns this spider into a eight foot blood lusting most....,,, hold on i just realized i haven't taken my anti delusional tablet.... god next i will be convincing my self i look like George clooney again sorry Steve speak to you later i'm off to my drugs cabinet

[EasternGirl]

This just in: Giant spider takes over small town in Iowa. Animal planet called in to investigate. Billy the Exterminator and his hillybilly brother eaten by giant spider. News at 10.

[ConcinusMan]

I found this on the web: "Gambrus nuncius (Say) are about 5/16 inch long, reddish-black (basal half of abdomen reddish and rest black with a whitish yellow mark at the tip in females). The first segment of the male abdomen is black. This parasite attacks caterpillars of swallowtail butterflies"




Of course, the culprit could be any number of parasitic wasps that lay their eggs on caterpillars. In this case, apparently the wasp eggs were on the caterpillar when it went to pupa stage. Once I brought it in and warmed it up, they hatched and the wasp larvae ate the chrysalis from the inside out. Once all the food was exhausted, they emerged and soon pupated themselves. I can only assume that when the adult wasps emerge, they will mate and seek out caterpillars to lay their eggs on.

The sad thing is, these wasps are purposely introduced to areas as a way of controlling pest caterpillars. The problem is, they won't hesitate to prey on the caterpillars of endangered butterflies as well.

[RedSidedSPR]

Whoa ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[RedSidedSPR]

SPRING =D

[EasternGirl]

I am so angry that I bought my camera and not the one that you have Jesse. Grrr...

[Natrix]

IMAG0211.jpgIMAG0609.jpgIMAG0365.jpgIMAG0511.jpgIMAG0512.jpg Just a few with my phone last year!

[Natrix]

121.jpg280.jpg625.jpg034.jpg527.jpg a few more