2024 May 6

Ian Cooper sends a photograph of a crane fly at Colquitz River Park.  Ian writes:  I came across this fascinating scene of a crane fly with its mouth parts directly on a leaf’s damp surface, apparently seeking to draw moisture from it.

Crane fly  (Dip.: Tipulidae)  Ian Cooper

Earthworms are apparently preyed upon not only by Robins.  Yesterday we showed one of Ian’s pictures of an earthworm apparently being dragged out of its burrow by a beetle.  Today we show Ian’s pictures of one apparently being eaten alive at one end by a harvestman.   Dr Philip Bragg writes:  The harvestmen are Protolophus species. Only P. niger has been named in BC. This does not look like P. niger, which is a very dark-looking harvestman. The genus Protolophus is in need of revision. Harvestmen are known to attack earthworms. The digestive enzymes from the harvestman are really beginning to digest the worm. I do not know how the harvestman subdued the worm since they do not possess poison glands.  Please congratulate Ian for these excellent clear, detailed photos.

Harvestman Protolophus sp. (Opiliones: Protolophidae)  with earthworm.   Ian Cooper

Harvestman Protolophus sp. (Opiliones: Protolophidae)  Ian Cooper