Red Driver Ant (Dorylus helvolus)

Can you believe that this wasp-like insect is actually an ant? They are rather large, about 4-5cm (2 1/2 to 3 inches) in body length.
This is male and although vicious looking, they are harmless to humans.

They live in large colonies with the workers which are much smaller and have a mean bite.

 They can often be seen coming to lights at night.

Orange-wing (Platypleura haglundi)

Family Cicadidae

Thanks to Martin for the identification and info. It is greatly appreciated.

 It is of medium size and found in the northern and north-eastern regions of SA. They are associated with Acacia trees, Sicklebush (Dichrostachys cinera) and Flamboyant (Delonix regia).

Don Dwala (Bradinopyga cornuta) Male

Family Libellulidae

They are well camouflaged as they sit amongst the rocks.

 They are found though most of south and central Africa where they frequent small rock pools which they use as breeding sites.

These dragonflies are also called Horned Rock-dwellers due to the two small, horn-like growths in front.

Longhorn Beetle (Purpuricenus laetusi)

Family Cerambycidae

 A smallish beetle with a body length of about 1.5cm and an antennae which is at least 4 times that. Once again there is no interesting information on this beetle

Dwarf Round-headed Spider (Oecobius navus)

The Oecobiidae is a small family of spiders found throughout the world and represented by 7 genera. From Southern Africa, 4 genera and 8 species are known.

Common names:
Flat-mesh weavers or ant-eaters (Oecobiidae); dwarf round-headed spiders (Oecobius); house ant-eater (Oecobius navus); rock ant-eaters (Paroecobius); desert round-headed spiders (Uroctea).

 Lifestyle

Web dwellers (signal-web): small flat sheets are made over different types of substances or multi-layered signal-webs are made under stones (Uroctea); abundance: common (some species) to rare.

Body size:

3-5 mm(males slightly smaller); Uroctea (6-14 mm).

Genera

Oecobius navus (cosmopolitan); Paroecobius (2 spp. & undescribed spp.); Uroecobius ecribellatus; Uroctea (4 spp.).

Info:

http://www.djaniwildlife.co.za/wildways-games/content/text/spider%20families/web%20dwellers/signal-web%20spiders/17%20oecobii%2001.html

Green Tree Locust (Abisares viridpennis)

Family Acrididae

Large and when fully developed has shades of reddish-brown on upper body. They are slow moving. Found in tropical or sub-tropical vegetation.

 Nymphs (young) are tiny and bright green.

Ladybird/Ladybug (Psyllobora variegata Sp)

Family Coccinellidae

 Members of this genus feed on fungus and in the case of Psyllobora variegata, it feeds mainly on downy mildew on grape vines.

 Above: Larvae

An African winter sunset

Yesterday I found myself on top of a high hill at sunset and took these pictures. Now I have taken pictures of sunsets before but wanted to try something different and came up with these. It is more a play on light, shadow and shapes than actual sunsets. The photographs have not been cropped or manipulated in any way. I am not sure if they are good or bad so would appreciate comments.

Longhorn Beetle (Gahania pinheyeri)

Family Cerambycidae

 This beetle is about 3cm in length but besides that, I can tell you nothing about it because there is no further info available.

Streaked Ermine (Estigmene linea)

Family Arctiinae

 A medium-size moth with a yellow body which has black dots along its sides.

 Common in SA in all but the arid regions.

 Larve feeds on Wandering Jew (Cyanotis) and Bitter Teabush (Veronia).