This Wyeomyia smithii mosquito cannot survive without a Sarracenia purpurea carnivorous pitcher plant. It lays its eggs on the leaves, and the wiggly larvae live in the acidic fluid, breaking down insect prey. Larvae overwinter inside the pitchers, frozen solid in a block of ice. The adults do not bite humans, and look quite different from the familiar mosquitoes that we try to avoid. I snapped a photo of this one midair, and captured the unusual way these mosquitoes hold their legs, even in flight.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Geometric Bug
This Wyeomyia smithii mosquito cannot survive without a Sarracenia purpurea carnivorous pitcher plant. It lays its eggs on the leaves, and the wiggly larvae live in the acidic fluid, breaking down insect prey. Larvae overwinter inside the pitchers, frozen solid in a block of ice. The adults do not bite humans, and look quite different from the familiar mosquitoes that we try to avoid. I snapped a photo of this one midair, and captured the unusual way these mosquitoes hold their legs, even in flight.
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What a great shot. Impressive capturing. Great hunting.
ReplyDeleteThe plant looks like a psycidelic planet. I was wondering if their little brains are affected by that. What do you suppose?
Pearson education would like to pay to publish this image in their Science textbook- could you please email me at jamey.oquinn@gmail.com and I can give you the details? Thank you!
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