This Insect Looks Like A Shrimp
Dec 15, 2018 19:52:29 #
Here's a few views of a strange little insect that I found under a rotted log on my hunt in the woods that looks like a "shrimp" with colorful scales. It's very small and it has a long upturned tail although it's not shown in these pictures. Its body is shaped like a carrot looking down on it. Any help to ID this little critter would be appreciated.
Dec 15, 2018 20:39:51 #
Dec 15, 2018 21:33:23 #
newtoyou wrote:
See Tinusbum post of 7Dec. Looks to be same.
Bill
Bill
thats what i was going to say. nice shots! dec 12th
Dec 15, 2018 21:42:11 #
tinusbum wrote:
thats what i was going to say. nice shots! dec 12th
There goes my sense of time
Dec 15, 2018 21:43:10 #
Yep, that's what it is. Mine's not as pretty as the one that you posted and mine is also dearly departed and it had been soaking in denatured alcohol with a pin stuck through it. I really enjoy seeing the command that you and others have on all of the aspects of your images. It gives me something to strive for if I don't lose my sanity before I get there.
Dec 15, 2018 23:30:59 #
This photo has enough depth and clearity to make me think an ID of some rather small insects is possible via a photo.
This insect would probably not be pinned for study. Preserved wet, mounted on a microscope slide. The info I more or less quote is from 1976 or earlier. Methods still do not change much. I suggest getting a couple of cheap aluminum roasting pans. Line with your blank newspaper. Collect a fair amount of moist leaf litter in a BLACK plastic garbage bag. Get your camera ready. Also get a small soft artist brush and a bowl of alcohol. A small watt regular bulb(for heat) and desk lamp is aimed at a handful or two of litter at one end. Now watch the exodus begin.
Keep the bag in a chilly place and do this whenever. Collect at leasure. This a modification of the Berleize funnel. More selective. Put leaf litter back when done.
You might even put tin can pit traps under logs. Check regularly.
Mark is right on about winter activity. If anyone bet me I could not find insects 365 days a year, they would lose.
Also, try mounting differently, more to suit your needs. Try the finest pin inserted analy(anyone wince?) and the pinhead in clay. Also two pins up thru bottom, but not thru specimen and heads in a ball of clay. Experiment.
Your photography is superlative. Once you refine mounting techniques you will be a tough act to follow.
Bill
This insect would probably not be pinned for study. Preserved wet, mounted on a microscope slide. The info I more or less quote is from 1976 or earlier. Methods still do not change much. I suggest getting a couple of cheap aluminum roasting pans. Line with your blank newspaper. Collect a fair amount of moist leaf litter in a BLACK plastic garbage bag. Get your camera ready. Also get a small soft artist brush and a bowl of alcohol. A small watt regular bulb(for heat) and desk lamp is aimed at a handful or two of litter at one end. Now watch the exodus begin.
Keep the bag in a chilly place and do this whenever. Collect at leasure. This a modification of the Berleize funnel. More selective. Put leaf litter back when done.
You might even put tin can pit traps under logs. Check regularly.
Mark is right on about winter activity. If anyone bet me I could not find insects 365 days a year, they would lose.
Also, try mounting differently, more to suit your needs. Try the finest pin inserted analy(anyone wince?) and the pinhead in clay. Also two pins up thru bottom, but not thru specimen and heads in a ball of clay. Experiment.
Your photography is superlative. Once you refine mounting techniques you will be a tough act to follow.
Bill
Dec 16, 2018 10:21:47 #
Oh I know exactly what this is. But it has already been identified. Jumping bristletails are strange, 'primitively wingless' insects, and your lateral picture especially shows their oddities.
1. At the basal segments (the coxal segment) of the 2nd and 3rd legs are these little appendages called 'styli'. These are mainly sensory appendages that are unique to these insects. You have to look at Crustaceans to see anything related to them.
2. Under the abdominal segments are additional leg bases (also considered coxae). So these insects have vestiges of legs on their abdomen! i can see these coxal bases in your picture, but a ventral view would really show them best.
3. Those abdominal coxae also have styli appendages, as can be clearly seen here. When scampering around, these abdominal styli are used to prop up the abdomen, and they 'walk' with the legs when they are moving.
It is now understood that the ancestors of insects were arthropods with lots of legs, not just 6, and so these jumping bristletails still show vestiges of the multi-legged ancestors of insects. A few other insect orders show vestiges as well, but none come close to the jumping bristletails.
I used to see these insects in other states where i have lived, but I have yet to see one here, and I sure would like to! So to me you have a very good find here. 👍👍👍
1. At the basal segments (the coxal segment) of the 2nd and 3rd legs are these little appendages called 'styli'. These are mainly sensory appendages that are unique to these insects. You have to look at Crustaceans to see anything related to them.
2. Under the abdominal segments are additional leg bases (also considered coxae). So these insects have vestiges of legs on their abdomen! i can see these coxal bases in your picture, but a ventral view would really show them best.
3. Those abdominal coxae also have styli appendages, as can be clearly seen here. When scampering around, these abdominal styli are used to prop up the abdomen, and they 'walk' with the legs when they are moving.
It is now understood that the ancestors of insects were arthropods with lots of legs, not just 6, and so these jumping bristletails still show vestiges of the multi-legged ancestors of insects. A few other insect orders show vestiges as well, but none come close to the jumping bristletails.
I used to see these insects in other states where i have lived, but I have yet to see one here, and I sure would like to! So to me you have a very good find here. 👍👍👍
Dec 16, 2018 11:55:46 #
Thanks, Mark. You fellows here are the greatest and I've learned so much reading all of the posts and seeing all of the impressive images. Thanks also for the advice given on where to look for winter's insects which allows me to continue with my passion year-round. Every log that I turn over or ground clutter that I brush away brings me new discoveries. Of course I put it all back the way nature intended it to be which benefits both the critters and me.
Dec 16, 2018 14:38:19 #
Dec 16, 2018 15:05:41 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
Oh I know exactly what this is. But it has already... (show quote)
Somewhat Langousta/lobster-like.
Bill
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