P.S. for those who will be interested to know about these insects, they are called plague soldier beetles. Stewart put the link at the comments below, here too: http://museumvictoria.com.au/about/mv-blog/jan-2012/plague-soldier-beetles/
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Almost Macro Shot Too
These shots are at the Blue Mountains, Sydney, Australia. I was looking at this tree because of its lovely white flowers. However, as i looked closer to get a close-up of the flowers, i saw the black lumps on the branches. I earlier thought they are plant characteristics, which might be common in these parts, anyway there are lots of biological materials that are unique to this country or this continent.
I looked much closer to scrutinize those black clumps, and i was surprised to see what they are! Can you guess what those black lumps are?
They are black beetles with orange necks, tails and abdomens. They are actually cute in close-up, but scary too. I wonder what they are clumping themselves in specific areas of these tree. Other trees nearby do not have these bugs. I just left my curiosity thinking they might be beneficial insects, otherwise those park keepers who are so diligent in their responsibilities would have eradicated them if they are bad insects.
P.S. for those who will be interested to know about these insects, they are called plague soldier beetles. Stewart put the link at the comments below, here too: http://museumvictoria.com.au/about/mv-blog/jan-2012/plague-soldier-beetles/
At the other side of the park i saw bushes of these kangaroo paws. I also looked closer and i smiled as they really somehow look like paws, even if i haven't yet scrutinized paws of real kangaroos. I just assumed they resemble the real paws or these Ausies would have changed it even then! I even saw a yellowish insect with lovely color contrast to the paws!
P.S. for those who will be interested to know about these insects, they are called plague soldier beetles. Stewart put the link at the comments below, here too: http://museumvictoria.com.au/about/mv-blog/jan-2012/plague-soldier-beetles/
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Love the blooms of the Kangaroo Paws.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week ~ FlowerLady
OMG, those are bugs???? I love kangaroo paws, aren't they pretty?
ReplyDeleteVery cool photos!
ReplyDeleteI like it!
Greetings from Hamburg
Britta
Wonderful series… lots of bugs. I really enjoyed the Kangaroo Paws! Thanks so much for sharing the love up-close with I Heart Macro ♥
ReplyDeleteI also try to not assume all insects in clumps are bad...I leave 99% alone most days as the birds and other bugs want them too. Love that kangaroo paws.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen such a wonderful red plant and so many beetles before!
ReplyDeleteThat last bloom is about as Ruby as it gets, with the exception of the little chartreuse critter. Nicely captured.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. Black beetle so many of them.
ReplyDeleteLove your shots, the bugs are quite attractive. How strange that they only like that tree! Your kangaroo paw us really pretty.
ReplyDeleteHi there - nice pictures - I was dealing with a swarm of these this weekend - they kept landing on the lens of my camera! They are called Plague Soldiers beetles - this is a good post about them:
ReplyDeletehttp://museumvictoria.com.au/about/mv-blog/jan-2012/plague-soldier-beetles/
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Oh thank you very much Stewart, i learned a lot today. So i will put the link as a PostScript in my post. I am glad i know whom to ask.
DeleteWonderful captures! I hope they are not a "bad" insect.. The kangaroo paws is a pretty plant.. Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteEileen, i put the link in there above as P.S. Apparently the link says they are not bad, they just swarm during mating and eventually idsperse. Thanks for the visit and comment.
DeletePoor tree, they will devour it.
ReplyDeleteThe beetles are very pretty and the paw is an interesting flower.
ReplyDeleteWe have soldier beetles here too. I had them on GWGT. Both adults and larvae are predacious and feed on other insects. The adults eat caterpillars and aphids and are important predators. They wait for prey on goldenrod and feed on nectar and pollen but they do no damage to the plant.
ReplyDeleteLove the Kangaroo Paws! Those insects remind of our Lightening Bugs or Boxelder Bugs here in the states. How fascinating!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flower and Kangaroo Paws! But insects are scary when there are too many...
ReplyDeleteHow interesting the swarm is.... I love the plant.... So colorful... Michelle
ReplyDeleteNice shots, those beetles are crazy!! Well captured.
ReplyDeleteLove love love the Kangaroo Paws... Gorgeous!!!!
ReplyDeleteHope those beetles disappear soon. Glad they are not harmful... We sometimes get swarms of LadyBugs here.. It's hard to keep them OUT of the house since they are so small....
Hugs,
Betsy