Only Termites Shall Pass

Posted on July 16, 2011 by Troy Bartlett

July 9, 2011 | Tupaciguara, Minas Gerais, Brazil

A phalanx of termite soldiers forms a first line of defense in front of foraging workers (not shown). I accidentally breathed on them shortly after this shot and they all quickly retreated.

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Coreid Flashback

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Troy Bartlett

15mm body | July 9, 2011 | Tupaciguara, Minas Gerais, Brazil

I’ve seen this coreid here before.

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Chrysalis Surprise

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Troy Bartlett

10mm | July 4, 2011 | Tupaciguara, Minas Gerais, Brazil

I collected this little chrysalis while I was in the field the day before I took this photo. I didn’t think I’d be able to get a good photo at the time, and I was curious to see what might emerge. Strangely, looking at this with my own eye, it appears opaque with a silvery and gold surface. With the camera and flash, it appears as above, somewhat transparent and showing what looks like a wing inside. I figured it would only be a short time to see the butterfly that might emerge. Well, I was half right. read more

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Trapdoor

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Troy Bartlett

12mm diameter | July 9, 2011

Tupaciguara, Minas Gerais, Brazil

I’m curious what fashioned this trapdoor on the side of a tree. So far this trip, I’ve seen two like this. I found it open and abandoned, but I closed it to show how it would otherwise look. Maybe a spider that rushes out to grab a meal? I looked carefully for any radiating silken threads that might serve as tripwires, but I didn’t see any.

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Burrowing Bug Nymph

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Troy Bartlett

8mm body | July 3, 2011 | Tupaciguara, Minas Gerais, Brazil

This immature burrowing bug in the family Cydnidae was under a log. I gently held it to get a better view of those fossorial legs and its beak (rostrum).

Underside

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Velvet Ant

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Troy Bartlett

4mm body | July 3, 2011 | Tupaciguara, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Velvet ants are challenging to photograph. They always seem to know when you’re after them. They are either running so fast you can’t keep them in the frame (much less focus) or they find cover to hide under. I always just shoot like crazy and hope for the best.

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Scorpion

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Troy Bartlett

20mm body | July 9, 2011 | Tupaciguara, Minas Gerais, Brazil

I spotted this scorpion on the trail just after dark. Somehow I spooked it and it ran for cover. When I removed the leaf it had hidden under, it was curled up as shown below.

Hiding under a leaf

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Bee Mimicking Assassin Bug

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Troy Bartlett

10mm body | July 9, 2011 | Tupaciguara, Minas Gerais, Brazil

For me, those wings are what really give this assassin bug in the family Reduviidae the appearance of a bee.

Dorsal view

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Waxy Planthopper Nymph

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Troy Bartlett

10mm wide | July 9, 2011 | Tupaciguara, Minas Gerais, Brazil

I’ve encountered odd planthopper nymphs like this before, but this might be the first time I’ve been able to get good shots showing the nymph itself .

Dorsolateral view

Dorsal view

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Aranha Caranguejeira – Tarantula

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Troy Bartlett

15mm body | July 9, 2011 | Tupaciguara, Minas Gerais, Brazil

I found this little tarantula (family Theraphosidae) under a rock. It could be full-grown, but I suspect it’s young and far from its adult size. It blends in quite well with the rocky ground.

Lateral view

Another angle

Despite its small size, it’s definitely got attitude. After some prodding, it demonstrated a classic threat display.

Don't mess with me

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