An assorted mix, including a Mystery Critter Quiz

Images of undisturbed subjects in their natural environment. All subject types.

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MarkSturtevant
Posts: 1946
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2015 6:52 pm
Location: Michigan, U.S.A.
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An assorted mix, including a Mystery Critter Quiz

Post by MarkSturtevant »

These were taken over a year ago.
Red-humped caterpillar (Schizura concinna ). This was one of several found together on a single red-bud tree.
ImageRed-humped caterpillar by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

A 'running' crab spider with yellow-collared scape moth (Cisseps fulvicollis).
ImageCrab spider and yellow-collared scape moth by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Lesser maple spanworm moth (Marcaria pustularia) that was in our bedroom. Plain, but I like the delicate colors.
ImageLesser maple spanworm by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Great spreadwing damselfly (Archilestes grandis). This is the largest damselfly in the continental U.S.
ImageGreat spreadwing damselfly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Red-headed bush cricket (Phyllopalpus pulchellus). These will sit out on top of leaves, and it seems that they signal to each other with those flag-like palpi.
ImageRed-headed bush cricket by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Red-legged grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum).
ImageRed-legged grasshopper by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Hickory tussock catterpillar (Lophocampa caryae). The hairyness and markings are rather variable in this species, but this one was especially "posh".
ImageHickory tussock caterpillar by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Focus stacked picture of mosses and lichens. Taken hand-held. Focus bracket done with the Helicon Fb tube.
ImageFocus stack of mosses and lichens by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

And finally, the quiz. This common marsh fly (Tetanocera sp. ) had something hanging on it, so I 'went in' for a picture, and saw this.
ImageMarsh fly with guests by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
ImageMarsh fly with guests by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

The quiz is to identify what the critters are on the fly, and what are they doing here?
Mark Sturtevant
Dept. of Still Waters

dunksargent
Posts: 251
Joined: Sun Apr 25, 2010 2:50 pm
Location: Cambridgeshire UK

Re: An assorted mix, including a Mystery Critter Quiz

Post by dunksargent »

Not sure about IDs but the passengers might be 'hitching a lift' to pastures new?

BW

dunk
And now for something completely different.

NikonUser
Posts: 2693
Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2008 2:03 am
Location: southern New Brunswick, Canada

Re: An assorted mix, including a Mystery Critter Quiz

Post by NikonUser »

What - no prize for correctly guessing!
How about Scorpions of the Pseudo type?
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.

Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives

MarkSturtevant
Posts: 1946
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2015 6:52 pm
Location: Michigan, U.S.A.
Contact:

Re: An assorted mix, including a Mystery Critter Quiz

Post by MarkSturtevant »

:D Dunksargent and NikonUser have it. They are a bunch of pseudoscorpions (related to scorpions, but they have no stingers). These small mite-sized arthropods can hitch a ride on an insect for dispersal. A smart group we have here!
Mark Sturtevant
Dept. of Still Waters

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