Katydids comprise a diverse group of insects particularly well adapted to survival in rainforest because of their exceptional camouflage. Most katydids are well camouflaged with brown or leaflike green markings.
The Lichen Katydid, Markia hystrix (Orthoptera - Tettigoniidae), however, has one of the most incredible camouflages of all. It resembles the pale greenish-white lichens on which it lives in rainforest treetops. Not only does the color match the lichens, but the body and legs have a bizarre assortment of spines and points that blend well with lichens, in fact, so well that this insect is extremely difficult for predator to find.
This astonishing insect is known to occur in Central America (Costa Rica, Panama), Colombia and Ecuador.
I put together some of Reginald Cocroft’s treehopper courtship call recordings with photos of the genera that make the noise. Platycentrus makes the best animal sound ever I think
Pleasing fungus beetles of the family Erotylidae (Coleoptera) are easily recognized by their usually red, orange, yellow or purple bright color combined with black, forming patterns of stripes, spots or rings.
Their common name is because these beetles are mycophagous, which means that they eat fungus, and the fruiting bodies of mushrooms provide the only food for both larvae and adults. In fact, Erotylidae is a very important part of the mycophagous fauna in the tropics, and are largely responsible for recycling the nutrients, which are absorbed by fungi during decomposition of organic matter, and dispersing them through out the food chain.
The beetles copulate on or near the host-fungus. Fertilized female lay eggs into the hymenophore or directly on the fructification, and larvae feed on or inside the fungus, devouring all its available parts.
This one purple Pleasing Fungus Beetle in the photos could be ErotylusorGibbifer.
This beautiful fossil is that of an ancient Calymene Trilobite. It’s a beautifully preserved piece. Trilobites were very successful during their time on the planet, making these interesting fossils relatively common.
Trilobites, though now long exctinct, were marine arthropods (think spiders/crustaceans) that existed millions of years ago. The dates they occupied the earth range between 500 million years ago (the Cambrian period) up until 250 million years ago where they were wiped out along with most everything else during the mass extinction.
There are many different species and variations, and these interesting fossils are found in many different locations around the globe. This particular little soul was ethically sourced from Morocco. It’s currently available here.
