Brass Knuckles, Pt. 3 - _TNY_8816
Have a look at the forearms on this marbled rose-chafer (Protaetia marmorata) which I caught eating leftover watermelon in the garden compost bin. Pretty impressive spikes there.
The marbled rose-chafer is the largest rose-chafer in Sweden and just like the other eight species, they have really grippy feet. My son describes it like they've got velcro on the underside - you pick them up and then you literally have to peel them off.
Another thing about this one is that it has passengers. Zoom in and you can see a whole bunch of tiny phoretic mites which piggyback on the chafer. Phoretic, as in not blood-sucking - just catching a ride.
Part 1 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53878644296/
Part 2 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/54288803421/
Brass Knuckles, Pt. 3 - _TNY_8816
Have a look at the forearms on this marbled rose-chafer (Protaetia marmorata) which I caught eating leftover watermelon in the garden compost bin. Pretty impressive spikes there.
The marbled rose-chafer is the largest rose-chafer in Sweden and just like the other eight species, they have really grippy feet. My son describes it like they've got velcro on the underside - you pick them up and then you literally have to peel them off.
Another thing about this one is that it has passengers. Zoom in and you can see a whole bunch of tiny phoretic mites which piggyback on the chafer. Phoretic, as in not blood-sucking - just catching a ride.
Part 1 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53878644296/
Part 2 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/54288803421/