Field Slug (Deroceras leave)

All slugs of the Agriolimacidae family have been introduced to SA from Europe and can be serious pests.

 They are found in all habitats including vegetable gardens.

 Deroceras are capable of reproducing by self-fertilization and thus, one slug can become a whole colony.

Info from: Field Guide to the Land Snails and Slugs of Eastern South Africa (Dai Herbert & Dick Kilburn)

Hoverfly (Phytomia natalensis)

Family Syrphidae

 These Hoverflies are common in most countries of the world.

 Because of their colouration, they are often mistaken for bees as they also feed on pollen but are harmless to humans.

 The larvae mainly feed on aphids.

Identification from: http://www.ispot.org.za

Generation gap??

It has been a long time since I have done a post on anything philosophical (or ranting) as I guess I have been too busy to think about other things but today thoughts of differences in living standards and values has been on my mind. Maybe I am just too old and the “generation gap” really exists but it seems that things are done very differently today.



Years ago, a person’s word was their bond. Huge deals for millions in monetary value were sealed with a handshake and people/companies kept their promises.



Now, none of that exists. My greatest beef is with the people and top companies who, with every advert, spout words like “environmentally friendly” “echo friendly” “free range” “green” “save the environment” and yet when push comes to shove NONE of them actually DO anything about it except charge you double the price for items with those labels.



Are any of them actually trying to educate the ordinary Joe on the street as to what those words mean? The answer is an unequivocal NO. They will rather offer millions as a prize for a race on foot or bike, a rugby or cricket match than spend one cent on environmental education. What a crock!!!! How two-faced of them!!!!!!



And what a pity too that they cannot put their money where their mouth is and live up to what they spout as buzzwords in order for us to think them “good people/companies”. It makes me sick!!!!!!!!!!! And YES, this post is aimed at all our top companies ...... do you need me to name them? Just check out every advertisement and you will know who I mean!!!!!

Lily Weevil (Brachycerus labrusca)

Family Curculionidae

A large, flightless beetle, about 2cm in length and are fairly common in the Pretoria and Pilansberg areas although I do not know where else in SA they are found as there is no distribution map available.

Not much information can be found about them except that they feed on certain lilies.

Chrysomelidae - Leaf Beetle larvae

I found the most unusual critter and have been trying for a very long time to find someone who could tell me what it is. Now, thanks to Riaan, I eventually know what it is.

This is a very small creature, about 3-4mm in length.

"The larvae of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) are very diverse, mostly varying along with their taxonomic diversity. Some live inside plant material (e.g. subfamily Bruchinae in seeds and tribe Hispini as leaf miners), but most feed externally on their host plant (above ground on any possible plant structure, even dead material in some instances, or underground on roots). Some chrysomelid larvae are case-bearers.

 The larva in this observation seems typical of several leaf beetle groups that feed externally on leaves. The body is slug-like, shiny, sometimes slimy, but typically crinkly, and there is a well-sclerotised (hardened) head capsule with powerful mandibles. And they always have three pairs of thoracic legs.


Beetledude, SANC"

Thank you Riaan from http://www.ispot.org.za for the identification and the interesting information. It is greatly appreciated.

Sooty Blue (Zizeeria knysna)

Family Lycaenidae

These small butterflies are found throughout SA. The males upperwing is a dull violet-blue whereas the female only has the blue colour near her body.

 They are found the year round and often seen on lawns feeding on weeds which grow amongst it. They are found in all habitats including wetlands and grasslands.

Wattled Plover

These birds who have a loud, strident call are found northwards of Natal.

 They are seen in large groups in all habitats where the eat insects and seeds.

 Their wattles and coloration make them easy to identify.

 Their breeding season is from July to January where they nest in soil to which is added dry plants and small stones. Clutches consist of 4 blotched eggs with black, brown and grey colours.

African Thief Ant (Carebara vidua)

Family Formicidae

We have over a thousand ant species in South Africa and only a few of them have names. This was a large one, about 2.5cm (over 1" inch) in length and was hanging on for dear life to this twig.

Females have a black abdomen and the male and queen a brown one. The body is covered with pale hairs.

They nest in the walls of termite mounds and are usually seen only after the first rains of summer.

Beaded Weevil (Protostrophus)

Family Curculionidae

These are medium-sized beetles and are flightless. The larvae live in soil.

They feed on a variety of plants including ornamentals, cotton and tobacco seedlings, young wheat, sweet potato and groundnut plants.

Marsh Sylph (Metisellam meninx) – Skipper

Family Hesperiidae

The sexes are very similar. In the photographs, the first two are of the female and the last two, the male.

These skippers have a very small distribution area which covers the New Castle area, the western Mpumalanga and Gauteng then are only found in flatlands and wetlands.

Females lay a single white to pale blue egg on certain marsh grasses.

Info from: Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa (Steve Woodhall)