Life on a Scribbly-gum tree
The 'scribbles' on the bark of these trees are made by the larvae of tiny moths, which burrow under the bark to feed on the sapwood. Like many Eucalypts, Scribbly-gums shed their old bark each year, and when they do so the trails of the larvae can be seen as as 'scribbles' on the new bark.
I'm not too sure what to say about the other elements in this photo. On the top right is what appears to be a jumping spider. In the middle are some small caterpillars, and some eggs, some open and some not. Did the caterpillars come from the eggs? Or are they perhaps eating the eggs? Will the spider eat the caterpillars and/or the eggs? I don't know.
Dharawal National Park, New South Wales, Australia
A focus stack using Zerene Stacker
Life on a Scribbly-gum tree
The 'scribbles' on the bark of these trees are made by the larvae of tiny moths, which burrow under the bark to feed on the sapwood. Like many Eucalypts, Scribbly-gums shed their old bark each year, and when they do so the trails of the larvae can be seen as as 'scribbles' on the new bark.
I'm not too sure what to say about the other elements in this photo. On the top right is what appears to be a jumping spider. In the middle are some small caterpillars, and some eggs, some open and some not. Did the caterpillars come from the eggs? Or are they perhaps eating the eggs? Will the spider eat the caterpillars and/or the eggs? I don't know.
Dharawal National Park, New South Wales, Australia
A focus stack using Zerene Stacker