Monthly Archives for July 2012

New World Transparent Specimens

New World Transparent Specimens

by Iori Tomita

“Tomita first removes the scales and skin of fish that have been preserved in formaldehyde. Next he soaks the creatures in a stain that dyes the cartilage blue. Tomita uses a digestive enzyme called trypsin, along with a host of other chemicals, to break down the proteins and muscles, halting the process just at the moment they become transparent but before they lose their form. The bones are then stained with red dye, and the brilliant beast is preserved in a jar of glycerin.”

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Atlas beetle

Atlas beetle

Chalcosoma atlas, like other beetles of the genus Chalcosoma, is remarkable for its size, that can reach a length of about 25–60 millimetres (0.98–2.4 in) in the females. As common in some Scarabaeidae, the males are larger than the females, reaching a length of about 60–130 millimetres (2.4–5.1 in). The males have specialised horns on the head and thorax that use to fight with each other to gain mating rights with females. The Atlas beetle differs from other Chalcosoma species (such as C. caucasus) in the end of the cephalic horn of the Atlas, which is broadened.

Frog-legged Leaf beetle

Frog-legged Leaf beetle

Sagra buqueti can reach a length of 25–50 millimetres (0.98–2.0 in). These iridescent colorful beetles have a striking sexual dimorphism. The males are very larger and have very long and strong hind-legs (hence the common name). The basic colour is metallic green, with reddish and golden reflections on the elytra. Cocoons of this species can be found in the jungle on climbing vines.

Dogbane beetle

Dogbane beetle

Chrysochus auratus, or the dogbane beetle of eastern North America, is a member of the insect subfamily Eumolpinae. It is primarily found east of the Rocky Mountains One of the brightest in its family, it is iridescent blue-green with a metallic copper, golden or crimson shine. Its diet consists of dogbane and milkweed. It measures between 8 and 11 mm (less than 0.5 inches) and has a convex, oval shape.

Leaf beetle

Leaf beetle

Leaf beetle (Stilodes sedecimmaculata) is found only in the Guyana Shield. There are over 35,000 leaf beetle species in the world, and many feed only on a particular type of host plant. The beetles store toxic chemicals from the plants they eat in their bodies, and advertise this toxicity with bright colours to warn off predators. (not sure if this real or not)

Manticora

Manticora

Manticora is a well-known genus of tiger beetle that is endemic to Africa. Its members are the largest of the subfamily. All species are darkly colored, nocturnal, and flightless. Males usually have exaggerated mandibles compared to the females, used for clasping during copulation.

Cicindela sexguttata

Cicindela sexguttata

They are commonly found in the deciduous forests in between the Minnesota and Ontario and south to Kentucky, and are easily recognizable by their large, white, overlapping mandibles. The imago (adult) is 12–14 mm (1/2-5/8″) in length,[1] with long legs. The large white mandibles, give these attractive insects a ferocious appearance. Although they are strong enough to subdue their prey, they do not bite humans unless handled. Both the common name and the species name refer to the number of small white spots on the beetle’s metallic-green to metallic-blue elytra, usually numbering six. This is not always true, however, as some individuals have fewer spots, or none at all. Six-spotted Tiger Beetles live in woody places, and they like shady openings such as dirt paths and fallen logs to hunt caterpillars, ants, spiders, and many other kinds of arthropods. This species is not gregarious, but sometimes many beetles may be seen in one fallen log. The females lay eggs in sandy patches, and the larvae burrow into the ground when they hatch. Here they lie in wait until small arthropods walk by, where then the larvae pounce much like jack in the boxes.