scorpion fly
I've been looking out for these fascinating creatures for a while now...this one only gave me one shot but I liked his choice of perch :)
*edit* thanks to Spenature 2. I now know this is a female...and that means the males need to watch out! From the Sussex Wildlife Trust's website:
"(The scorpion fly) lives up to its name by sporting a scorpion-like tail, which the male uses in courtship displays. Adults usually mate at night, but mating can be a dangerous game for the male, who might easily be killed by the female. So he presents her with a nuptial gift of a dead insect or a mass of saliva to placate her - the equivalent of a box of chocolates!"
scorpion fly
I've been looking out for these fascinating creatures for a while now...this one only gave me one shot but I liked his choice of perch :)
*edit* thanks to Spenature 2. I now know this is a female...and that means the males need to watch out! From the Sussex Wildlife Trust's website:
"(The scorpion fly) lives up to its name by sporting a scorpion-like tail, which the male uses in courtship displays. Adults usually mate at night, but mating can be a dangerous game for the male, who might easily be killed by the female. So he presents her with a nuptial gift of a dead insect or a mass of saliva to placate her - the equivalent of a box of chocolates!"