They are a specialized group of strange, flattened spider-like creatures with no antennae, long slender legs and very large pedipalps (part of the mouth) which they hold flexed in front of their body.
The first are a pair of 4 walking legs are elongated whip-like feelers. Whipscorpions are very secretive animals, usually found under bark or boulders in sub-tropical forests or arid regions. At night they move about smoothly with a crab-like gait, feeling for insects prey with their elongated first pair of legs and capturing prey with their pedipalps.Despite their fearsome appearance they are harmless to humans. This specimen is about 1 inch in body length.
A close up look at ants always make them look ferocious.
Sweat Bees are so called because they are commonly attracted to sweat. They make multi-cell burrow nests in the ground or sometimes wood cavities.
They are small (5mm) and collect pollen from a few plant species.
Eish, I wouldn't want to meet that first critter anywhere if I ever get shrunken to ant size.
ReplyDeleteLOL!! You are SO right Jonker, I would not want to either no matter how harmless it might be. :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. I am being educated daily. Not only does that close up of the ant look ferocious, lets face it those nippers on some of them can nip quite hard! I know from experience as I am sure you also know. Diane
ReplyDeleteThe first one is scary!
ReplyDeleteThis time I'm happy to say I've only seen this scorpion in photos and documentaries! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your macro shots, learn so much. but on that first critter i say YIKES! how did you make yourself get close enough to take the photo. it frightens me just looking at the photos.
ReplyDeleteThat scorpion may not bother humans but it sure is scary looking. I'll take my chances with the sweat bee. You sure are seeing a lot of interesting bugs on this vacation.
ReplyDeleteWow, macro shooting is really fun isn't it?
ReplyDeleteLove the ant, it looks unstoppable...
I am really impressed from these close ups.
ReplyDeleteThe scorpion is incredible.
At what distance did you take these pictures?
I added myself to follow your blog. You are more than welcome to visit mine and become a follower if you want to.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless You ~Ron
The Whipscorpion may not be harmeful to humans, but if I saw one I would start to run and probably run into a tree or stationary object and knock my self into next week. Eeesshh.
ReplyDeleteYou are SO right DIane!! Those things can really nip you. These black ones are not as bad as those tiny red ones though. If they get hold of you it feels as if you are on fire!! Nasty buggers!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bhavesh. I have to agree with you there.
ReplyDeleteLOL!! I know what you mean Jose. These would nt be fun to find in your shoes or in your bed. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra. Some of these are enough to be made into nightmare movies!! :)
ReplyDeleteI did find quite a lot Gaelyn but this time of year things are scarce. I want to go back there for a long weekend after it rains as what I wanted most were beetles and there was not one to be found yet.
ReplyDeleteHey, I loved Jonkers suggestion about Mike getting a transfer here!! Think about it.
LOL!! You should try it Mike. The fun part is being face to face like that. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrea. The lens was about 4 inches away. The top picture is almost full frame. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ron and welcome to my blog. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL!! Cant say I blame you Snapper 11. If I did not live in Africa, I would probably do the same. :) By now I am used to these uglies though.
ReplyDeleteI told Mike he should work his way up in the company, then consult on recycling around the world. That way we could get sent to ZA.
ReplyDeleteThat would be brilliant Gaelyn. Just think of the places you could find yourself in!! You should nag him on this one. LOL!!
ReplyDeleteAnother exellant post Joan. It sure looks like you had a productive trip.That spider looks scarey for sure!
ReplyDeleteB.
It was a great vacation and it seems I managed to find more than I though I did. :)
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