Week in pictures
8th to 18th January, 2018
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A newly-eclosed dragonfly showing the elaborate wing attachments that enable the insect's speed and manoeuvrability.
Hemicordulia tau (Order: Odonata; Family: Hemicordulidae)
As they mature, many dragonfly species develop a bluish, waxy coating. This Blue Skimmer was yellow and black when younger.
Orthetrum caledonicum (Order: Odonata; Family: Libellulidae)
As they mature, many dragonfly species develop a bluish, waxy coating. This Blue Skimmer was yellow and black when younger.
Orthetrum caledonicum (Order: Odonata; Family: Libellulidae)
These small (5mm long) bugs abound in our frog pond. They prey on small submerged animals, including mosquito larvae.
Order: Hemiptera; Family: Notonectidae
These male bees are still roosting on the same sedge flower head - it has been more than a week now, and the troop seems to be growing.
Lipotriches australica (Order: Hymenoptera; Family: Halictidae)
These really are bugs. The nymphs form writing masses on their host plant, often competing with adults for feeding room.
Oncopeltus sordidus (Order: Hemiptera; Family: Lygaeidae)
These really are bugs. The nymphs form writing masses on their host plant, often competing with adults for feeding room.
Oncopeltus sordidus (Order: Hemiptera; Family: Lygaeidae)
This pristine butterfly, with its perfect and undamaged wings, represents the second wave of the species for the Summer. Larvae that overwintered in 2017 emerged in Sept and Oct and are now gone. This is one of their offspring.
Candalides xanthospilos (Order: Lepidoptera; Family: Lycaenidae)
Like most spiders, jumping spiders trail a safety line when they leap.
Hypoblemum albovittatum (Order: Aranea; Family: Salticidae)
We discovered this clutch of eggs, laid in typical neuropteran fashion on long silken threads attached to a daisy stem. We hope to witness hatching of the nymphs.
Order: Neuroptera
The Enamelled Spider captures small flying insects in its sloping web. It hunts mainly at night, hiding in vegetation during the day.
Plebs bradleyi (Order: Aranea; Family: Araneidae)