Get the camera, get the camera!! by ImRassilon
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
Exactly what I yelled when i saw this beauty of a beetle(Tomentose Burying Beetle). I have never seen a beetle with this many(offspring?) on it. There were 2 in close together in my back woods. Both had riders.
Update****
After several post and a little research I have found that those are parasitic mites on the beetle's back. The mites are somewhat of an evolutionary partnership with the beetles. Since the beetles only lay eggs on fresh carcasses it has to compete with the fly and all of the other insect vying for space. The mites will only eat the fly larvae therefore allowing the beetles larvae to succeed. The down side is that the beetles ability to fly and escape danger is hindered by the weight of all the mites.
Cool stuff....
Comments (6)
and the little ones are crying, 'Are we there yet?'
I believe those are parasitic mites. I have never seen something like this myself, at least no so darn many on one small beetle. Great capture!
Amazing shot! :) Riders in the storm... ;)
Special family :) Excellent Shot and great Macro. B->
I admire this masterpiece by you. I thank you for it. 5+!
Hitchhikers! What a marvel! I love natural partnerships like this and I suspect that evolution isn't quite done yet. Give this particular relationship a few ten thousand years and we might see a leaner, slightly more aerodynamic, carapace-adhering mite. Or maybe not. This is a superb photo! I love the details and I love the fact that I can come here and see something that I've never seen before. The world is such a rich and gorgeous place, as your photos show, and I love that beauty can come in such small packages. I love the colors in this shot and the details are super!