Tag: Insects
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The Wondrous Hydnora Africana: Survival, Uses, and Edibility
Hailing from the arid terrains of South Africa, the Hydnora Africana is an enthralling spectacle of botanical evolution. This plant, a leafless wonder, lives a life concealed beneath the earth, save for a fleshy flower that dares to surface from the soil. Breaking the standard photosynthesis cycle leads to a parasitic existence, feeding on the…
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Unlocking the secrets of the Sword-Billed Hummingbird’s open beak
The Sword-billed hummingbird has the longest beak in proportion to its body compared to any other bird. Why is this, and what secrets are behind the Sword-billed Hummingbird’s open beak? Let’s have a look. First of all, look at that extensive beak, much longer than the bird’s body. Beakonomics: Measuring Up the Sword-Billed Hummingbird The…
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Picasso bugs, where art and nature collide
You can’t beat the brushstrokes of nature. Native to tropical and subtropical Africa, the oval-shaped Picasso Bug or Zulu Hud Bug is nature’s artwork. The Picasso Bug (Sphaerocoris annulus) is a shield-backed bug species with a vibrant carapace that does more than illustrate its aesthetic beauty. The mosaic markings serve as a warning to predators.…
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The Hickory Horned Devil: A lush tale of transformation
From the forest floor to the fluttering branches above, the world of insects is rife with enchanting creatures that surprise and inspire. Today, we delve into the intriguing life of one such creature, known for its striking and somewhat fearsome appearance: the Hickory Horned Devil. But fear not, for despite its dramatic name and unusual…
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Rare Jurassic-era insect discovered at Arkansas Walmart
A Penn State teacher discovered a rare Jurassic-era insect at a Walmart store in Arkansas. The insect, identified as Polystoechotes punctata, has excited scientists who believed the species had disappeared from large swathes of North America in the 1950s. The original finding took place in 2012 for Michael Skvarla, director of Penn State University’s Insect…
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Owlflies: The oddball of an insect
Want to see a strange insect? Look no further than Owlflies. These flying insects look like a mix of butterflies and dragonflies, possessing strange rainbow-mirrorball eyes and knob-like antennas. An unusual group of insects part of the Ascalaphidae, a family in the order Neuroptera, these colorful creatures also make deadly aerial predators of other flying…
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How your wealth attracts more insects
A recent study links higher income to the diversity of bugs inside homes. Called the ‘luxury effect,’ wealthier people tend to have more bug types hanging out indoors. This may not seem obvious at first, but the reason is simple. The richer you are, the more likely you are to own a bigger house and maintain a…
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Watch a dancing dragonfly up close
Take a look at this fascinating video of a dragonfly up close, seemingly smiling, dabbing, and posing with human-like expressions in front of the camera. Is it doing the Macarena, doing the YMCA, or dancing to Madonna’s song ‘Vogue?’ They dance while they’re young Dragonflies have been around nearly 300 million years and can reach…
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Nature’s flying jewels
If you liked the video of the dead leaf butterfly, then you’ll want to check out this video of the beautiful Archduke (Lexias pardalis dirteana) butterfly in its baby caterpillar state. Full of spines, its next stage will be chrysalis before shedding and breaking into a restless butterfly.