Common flesh fly 🥩
(Sarcophaga species)

It is almost impossible to tell the species apart by their outward appearance, and many can only be reliably identified by microscopic examination of the males' genitals.🔬🔍

In Germany, the gray flesh fly (Sarcophaga carnaria) is particularly common. There are various reports on the diet of adult flies from flower nectar, honeydew and the fluids that form on dung and carrion. The different information may be due to the difficulty in identifying the species. There is also different information about the larvae. Some species lay the larvae on carcasses and dung, others on earthworm entrances, and the parasitic larvae then crawl into the earthworm to develop inside. Some species use snails and other animals as hosts.🐌

Humans can also be infected by some species, such as Sarcophaga barbata. The human larval infestation is called myasis and occurs mainly in tropical or subtropical regions.🤕

Common wasps
(Vespula vulgaris)

🏚️💩 What the wasp carries out is dirty old nest material.

⚠️ Be careful around wasp nests. They can get very large and the ground unstable. When I was a kid, I saw another kid from the neighborhood step into a big wasp nest and get so badly stung that the ambulance had to come get him.

⚠️ One should avoid disturbing the nest and generally never breathe in their direction or move frantically.

⚠️ If you discover a nest that is in a threatening location, consult experts and don't take action yourself.

🌍 Wasps also play an important role in the ecosystem, although they are annoying and can be dangerous in some situations.

🐝 Wasps do not produce honey. Their larvae are fed with proteins. These secrete a sweet liquid that the queen feeds on. The adult wasps feed primarily on sugary foods, but they hunt other insects for the brood. Because sick and weak animals are easier prey, wasps help reduce the spread of diseases.

🕊️ I don't usually feel disturbed by the presence of wasps, at least I want the wasps to think so, and I'm fine with it. Every now and then I'm asked to dance while I want to eat outside in the summer. However, I just dodge them and don't hit them. And I never kill an animal for no reason.

Molting of my Chilean fire tarantula (Grammostola rosea), last July. ✨

Under increased blood pressure, the tarantula begins to transport a molting hormone (hydroxylated ecdysone/ecdysterone) from the rear to the front of the body. This causes pressure to build up and the carapace (back shield) to burst open. This extends over the entire body, so that the tarantula can now gradually free itself from the old exoskeleton. This can sometimes take several hours and is therefore very exhausting for the tarantula, so that it remains lying on its back even after it has successfully moulted. In this state, the spider has not yet hardened and can therefore easily become a victim. That's why spiders create a somewhat safer place with silk threads beforehand. I've increased the speed of the video eight times because you all don't have as much patience as I do 🤪 and it makes the rhythmic movement sequences clearer.

Ecdysterone is a hormone that triggers moulting in molting animals (arthropods, tardigrades, nematodes, etc.). It is also found in plants to protect against plant pests. In mammals, it only occurs through ingestion or parasitic infestation. It also has an effect on mammals and influences lipid metabolism and protein biosynthesis. It is believed to have an anabolic effect on the muscles, which is why it is also used in competitive sports. It is believed to have no harmful effects because it is a natural part of our diet. 💪😋🥬

Box tree moth,
Cydalima perspectalis

Native to Asia, it has been invading Europe since the 2000s and increasingly the United States in recent years. It has no natural enemies in Europe and has already contributed to the loss of entire forest areas. The caterpillars are poisonous. In its homeland in Asia, the Asian hornet is a natural predator. Although the Asian hornet is also spreading more and more in Europe, this is also a problem, because the Asian hornet also hunts bees and the European bees are not as defensive as the Asian bees.

The appearance and disappearance of individual species can have far-reaching consequences not only for wildlife but also for human livelihoods.

Nature's hide-and-seek ❄️🦆☃️

Seemingly endless..
along the Grote Nete river.

In search of magic.. ✨

I wish you a merry Christmas!🎄🍪💝

The heath in Kessel, Belgium is characterized by heather, swamps, drifting sand and ponds. Heath landscapes are a beautiful example of the interplay of culture and biodiversity. 6000 years ago 80 percent of Europe was still covered by forests. Heath areas naturally occurred only in very rare cases on coasts, in moorland areas and in the mountains. Then people started to use the forests for themselves. They required grazing land and thus not only changed the landscape, but also created new habitats for many different species. The extensive use of deforested and cleared areas resulted in increasingly nutrient-poor soils and grazing animals were bred that are particularly suitable for these areas. The upper layer of soil was regularly removed, mixed with animal manure and burned or applied to fields as fertilizer. The rain washed out the last nutrients and specially adapted plant species settled there, followed by rare animals.

These unique ecosystems survive only through active human intervention, which has been achieved through centuries of heath farming. However, this type of farming has become uneconomical, and a large part of the land has been converted into arable land by applying fertiliser. Other areas became forest again because keeping animals on nutrient-poor areas is associated with lower yields. With the loss of the heathland, numerous animal and plant species are threatened with extinction. And all the beauty that has always inspired painters and poets could simply disappear. It could hardly have been the biodiversity alone that led to active conservation efforts, but rather the cultural connection to this romanticized landscape form. We keep what we find beautiful and we can only find beautiful what we can see.

🌺 A reminder of spring, against the winter blues. 😊

❄️🕸️❄️🕸️❄️

This morning the whole balcony was hung with white spider webs. It was very foggy at minus 5 degrees. A beautiful, enchanting sight that did not last long. The webs collapsed after a short time. These were the works of garden spiders (Araneus diadematus).🥰
I couldn't stand it for long either and I'm back in quickly! 😄☕