Dacne californica

Posted on January 10, 2010 by admin

Fungus beetles

A member of the “pleasing fungus beetles” or the Erotylidae.

The name is derived (Latinized) from the Greek word erotulos, ἐρωτύλος
Meaning Little Darlings or Sweethearts — in some sort of a reference to the beauty of some gem stones.

In the case of our ‘Little Darlings’ the color scheme is described as ferrugineous and piceous. (Rusty and pitch colored.)

As is common for a lot of beetles like this, these often play dead when disturbed.

The images showing a scale bar are slightly flattened due to the weight of the scale. A microscope reticle was used in which 20 units is 1 mm.

Camponotus

Posted on January 10, 2010 by admin

Carpenter ants

The genus is Camponotus but I don’t know the species.

The ants pictured are the remnants after the removal of their colony from an insulated ceiling. They were quite happy to excavate rigid foam.

Aneides flavipunctatus flavipunctatus

Posted on January 1, 2010 by admin

Aneides flavipunctatus flavipunctatus is also known as the Speckled Black Salamander.

They can be solid black like this individual.

Or speckled with yellowish or whitish.

Aneides flavipunctatus flavipunctatus on 3 March 2016

Aneides flavipunctatus flavipunctatus

Xystocheir dissecta

Posted on January 1, 2010 by admin

Xystocheir dissecta is also known as the Redwood Xystocherini.

It was difficult to get an image of this tiny millipede that was not just a blur.

Xystocheir dissecta

A millipede Xystocheir dissecta

Xystocheir dissecta

This may be the same thing farther after molting? This was moving too fast to be sure.

maybe Xystocheir dissecta

Titiotus sp.

Posted on January 1, 2010 by admin

Titiotus is a genus of fairly large spiders that is endemic to California.

I don’t know the species. The body on this is almost an inch long (longer than 2 cm).

These are fairly aggressive; or at least they bite me.

‪Titiotus‬ sp.

This spider bites.

Uroctonus mordax

Posted on January 1, 2010 by admin

Uroctonus mordax is our common “Forest scorpion”.

It looks formidable but in a handful of experiences the sting has so-far always hurt less than that of a honey bee.

Uroctonus mordax

A scorpion’s face

Uroctonus mordax on 18 May 2015

Uroctonus mordax April 2015

Uroctonus mordax

Uroctonus mordax in 2012 under UV

The same Uroctonus mordax in 2012 under white light

A scorpion hatchery uncovered

baby scorpions with mom

Uroctonus mordax 2008 May

Uroctonus mordax 2004

Uroctonus mordax 2003

Zarhipis integripennis

Posted on January 1, 2010 by admin

Zarhipis integripennis
Western Banded Glowworm

Zarhipis integripennis

Paeromopus angusticeps buttensis

Posted on January 1, 2010 by admin

Paeromopus angusticeps buttensis is one of the millipedes that live here.

It was difficult to photograph this due to it constantly moving so fast that the legs and the body were a blur of motion. The images with detail were obtained by placing the animal in a refrigerator for half an hour prior to taking the photographs.

A blur of movement.

Paeromopus angusticeps buttensis

Paeromopus angusticeps buttensis

Paeromopus angusticeps buttensis

Harpaphe sp.

Posted on January 1, 2010 by admin

A Harpaphe sp.

This is also known as the almond-scented millipede due to it producing hydrogen cyanide as a defensive aid.

The roughness on the surface of this first animal is just tiny dew drops.

Harpaphe sp. April 2015

Harpaphe sp. 2015

Harpaphe sp. 2015

This one from last year is either a juvenile or has just recently molted:

Below is the same one but under UV.
I first noticed a Harpaphe millipede on a dark night wandering around the forest looking for black-light friendly mushrooms. It was apparently sleeping as at first it appeared from a distance to be a cluster of blue bristles. As the light got closer it began to move. It seems clear that black-light bothers arthropods that fluoresce as they actively try to get away from it.