Creepy Crawlies!

One of the real pleasures of being a field guide or even training to become one is that we are exposed to the many wonderful and sometimes mind-expanding array of insects and their world. One has the privilege of interacting with these creatures whether you like it or not and the different sizes, shapes and colours that insects take, is truly breathtaking. Sometimes, the field guide tries to explain to colleques the intricacies of insect life but really only begin to scratch the surface of what really happens in their world.

One of the true champions of the insect world is the termite (Isoptera spp.) and on game drives this week the students had an opportunity to explain to each other the workings of termite society and about the fascinating mounds in which they live. From the different castes in the colony to the entombed queen and the many thousands of eggs that she lays, the students have only begun to try to understand this complex society.

One of the more bizzare insects one ofter encounters whilst out on game drives is the mantids (Mantodea spp.) and more specifically the nymphs of the many different species found on the Makalali Game Reserve. Recently whilst out on game drive we encountered the nymph of the Eyed-flower Mantid (Pseudocrebotra wahlbergi) seen in the photo above, and in who's amazing colours the students were tranfixed for many a long minute. These wingless nymph's are spectacularly adorned with spikes and striped with pink and green and often they will curl their abdomen above their body when threatened.

The students will continue with their quest to understand these amazing creatures with many more surprises awaiting them. Till next time.

The Bushwise Team

Creepy Crawlies!