+A spider with Cordyceps bassiana. Cordyceps is a genus of parasitic fungi that invade insects such as ants, spiders and caterpillars
+Cyathus novae-zeelandiae - Bird’s Nest Fungus
These small fungi with vase-shaped bodies are usually found tightly packed together growing in potting mix and in litter particularly if some dung is present. The outside of the fruiting body of this species is hairy and fawn-colored, becoming grey. Inside is a shiny grey and the upper portion is internally striated. In the base there are the ‘eggs’ or peridioles, which are splashed out by raindrops. Several species may be found together.
+Jewel Caterpillar (Acraga coa) - family Dalceridae
Photo take in a mangrove area, found this stunning translucent caterpillar laying on a Red Mangrove tree leaf this morning early. about 3 cm long.
(photos/text: Gerardo Aizpuru)
* here is a picture of the adult moth:
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2008/10/28/unknown-mexican-moth/
+The Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) plant, contains no chlorophyll, and gets its nutrients by parasitizing fungal microrhyza which have mutualistic relationships with the roots of nearby plants.
+Dark Fishing Spider (Dolomedes tenebrosus)
- aka “Nursery Web Spider”
This is one of the 3 largest spiders in North America, if by “largest” one considers leg spread. It has a large body, and a legspread of up to ~ 3.5 inches (90 cm). The male is somewhat smaller than the female. The other 2 species that measure up are the Golden Silk Spider (Nephila clavipes) and the Carolina Wolf Spider (Hognus carolinensis). This species is found near water in much of the eastern and central U.S.
Though they are large spiders, they are able to walk the surface of water and even dive for small depths in search of aquatic prey (ie. tadpoles, minnows, and insects). They will also prey on small creatures out of the water, and are often seen on the sides of trees and other vegetation near water. Dark Fishing Spiders are active animals. They are primarily nocturnal but will come out during the day, with sufficient shade from tree or cloud cover. The mother carries her eggs in a large egg sac until the young hatch. She then constructs a “nursery web” for the younglings, which she will protect until she dies a week or 2 later.
The first time I saw this species was while canoeing in the Cypress swamps of Northeastern North Carolina. It was resting on the side of an enormous Bald Cypress, and was the size of my hand and totally unaffected by me. I immediately fell in love :3
- Paxon
(photos: Patrick Coin)
