Darkling
[Edit: this is a duplicate of the photo from June 12, 2008. I was clearly asleep at the wheel this morning. I even wrote up an all-new post for it and everything. I’ll replace this with a different image later tonight. Thank you to the alert readers who pointed this out and reminded me.]
Jeremiah Fargo got a decent shot of a beetle here. Not sure on species; it’s probably a darkling of some kind.
I particularly like this shot for the surprise feature–can you see the phoretic mite?
We’ve mentioned phoresis before; it’s the “bus-riding” kind of parasite. This beetle looks like it’s just landed or just about to take off, so that little might probably went much further than it planned…
Thanks, Jer!
Kit Watson said,
June 19, 2008 @ 9:43 am
Um, dude, this is the June 12 picture…
:o)
Go on, put the picture I persuaded my friend Michelle to send you the other day instead >:-)
David Brady said,
June 19, 2008 @ 10:57 am
DOH!
I’m impressed I got this far without a duplication. I’m only a little surprised that the duplicate was only 6 days old…
*sigh*
I’ve gotten way behind in my inbox the past three weeks or so, but I’ve sent Michelle a note asking her to send in a larger version of her labybug larva picture if she has one.
Thanks!
JFargo said,
June 19, 2008 @ 11:56 am
I guess the picture was just really awesome, and warranted a second look.
David Brady said,
June 19, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
Um, yes. Yes, that’s it.
It’s also so awesome that I’ll replace it with another one tonight when I get back to my InsectPOD Lair / Supervillain Hideout / Volcano Fortress.
JFargo said,
June 19, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
Can I suggest transferring this write up to the previously posted Darkling picture? It’s slightly more informative, and points out the little cool bug thingy. Maybe add in the bit about how it’s refolding its wings?
Far be it for me to tell you your job, but I just thought I’d share my opinion.