photos have started to pile up here. this is a mix of the past month’s nature related photos, enjoy!
to explain this photo: i’ve been very lucky to come across an ichneumon fly attacking its victim, a …fat green caterpillar. despite their size, it seemed like a brutal fight - the caterpillar trying to shake the fly off while it was stung several times.
the reason for this attack: the ichneumon fly (schlupfwespe; ichneumonoidea) injected the caterpillar with eggs from which the parasitic larvae will hatch. they essentially eat the caterpillar alive. isn’t life wonderful?
unfortunately, when i had my camera ready, the fight itself was already over.
Saturday, 13.05.2006 at 06:34
Markus - you don’t know how nice it is for me to see your interest in all things nature. :)
Monday, 15.05.2006 at 17:20
WOW. that butterfly’s antennae(?) are so magnificent!
how can you tell it’s male? and where was his wife?
and yes, i’m so proud of your super-pink flower (pretty!!)
Tuesday, 16.05.2006 at 22:16
eric: thanks :)
caro: you can tell because of the well-developed antennae (!). only males have them; they need them to find (smell) the females…