Since many of you seemed to enjoy the last mystery insect, I have another for you.
Can you tell what order of insect it might be?
Can you figure out what kind it is?
If you would like to share, please leave your ideas in the comments.
I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Yes, our mystery insect last week was actually the exoskeleton or the shed “skin” of a dragonfly nymph.
Dragonfly nymphs usually live under water, but they crawl onto land before emerging as adults. Exposure to the air and sun has darkened this exoskeleton and made it look, well, crispy.
You can tell the adult dragonfly has emerged because of the opening in the back of the thorax. Those white lines are the remnants or linings of the breathing tubes (tracheae) that pull out as the adult dragonfly emerges. The adult will produce new tracheae.
The one feature that really tells that this is a dragonfly nymph is the head, particularly the “mask” at the bottom of the face. Dragonfly nymphs have a special lower lip or labium that they use as an “insect net.” It not only shoots out to capture or scoop up prey, but also holds food while they eat, sort of like a horse’s feed bag.
In this video of a live dragonfly nymph feeding, look for both uses of the labium.
Isn’t that cool?
I loved reading all the imaginative ideas about what the insect might be. Would you be interested in future mystery insects?
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If you would like more dragonfly science, try this previous post with activity ideas.
Yesterday we featured a book about tarantulas and asked some questions about them, Today we have the answers to those questions, using the illustration.
(Photograph by Jason van den Bemd)
1. Find the legs and count them. Are there eight legs?
Yes, tarantulas have eight legs like other spiders and arachnids.
2. What are those two appendages in front of the tarantula?
Those two shorter appendages at the front of the tarantula are not legs. They are called pedipalps. They are used for various purposes other than walking.
3. Can you find the eyes? Do you know how many eyes a tarantula has? Is this more than, less than or the same number as other spiders?
Tarantulas have eight small eyes. That is the same number as most spiders. One exception is the brown recluse, which has only six eyes.
4. Where are the spinnerets to make silk?
Tarantulas have spinnerets at the back of the abdomen. In this photograph they only show as a slight bump. Both males and females make silk. They use it to line their burrows. Tarantulas do not make elaborate webs.
5. Is this a male or female spider? How can you tell?
Based on the fact this spider was found out wandering around and that it has extensive black coloring on its legs and abdomen, it is reasonable to assume it is a male.
Mature male tarantulas have a hook on the tibia of the front leg, which is not visible in the photograph.
How did you do? Are you a tarantula expert?
Be sure to let me know if you have any other questions about tarantulas.
For more information, see Roberta Gibson Writes.
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