A beautiful solar storm at night. 🥰 The aurora borealis creates dreamlike colors, visible to the eye only for brief moments like a shimmer.✨️

Look at this sunset 🫠❤️‍🔥

The European paper wasp (Polistes dominula) has a much calmer temperament than the common wasp. It has a wide range of hunting habits, including different insects and spiders. The European paper wasp is a social insect and absolutely worth learning more about its interesting behaviour. Originally native to Eurasia and North Africa, it has now spread to all continents, replacing native species there.

In deadwood, it is common for fungi to decompose more organic material than they directly consume. This is because fungi engage in extracellular digestion, producing enzymes to break down the complex material of deadwood into simpler compounds. During this process, nutrients in the wood are released for the fungi and other organisms in the surrounding ecosystem.

The rich microbiome developing on deadwood can also contribute to decomposition and nutrient release. The diversity of microorganisms colonizing deadwood, including various fungal species and bacteria, enhances the efficiency of decomposition and nutrient release.

Deadwood decomposition plays a vital role in the ecosystem by recycling nutrients and making them available for the growth of new plants and organisms. While fungi utilize nutrients for their own growth, other organisms also benefit from the released nutrients, contributing to a rich and diverse ecosystem.

The ivy bees (Colletes hederae) are one of the 15 species of plasterer bees native to Germany.

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Their nests are lined with a cellophane-like plastic using secretions from two glands at the end of the abdomen and on the labium ("lower lip"). That's why they are also called polyester bees. In Germany we call them silk bees "Seidenbienen".

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They live solitary in colonies, in sunny locations with no or sparse vegetation, where they dig their holes. Each species of plasterer bees specializes in the pollen of a particular plant, as does the ivy bee.

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The distribution area of ​​the ivy bees in Germany is concentrated in the Upper Rhine Plain and the Middle Rhine (where these photos were taken) as well as the Moselle Valley. However, since 2006 there has been a major wave of spread. The bees have also developed a novel preference for kindergarten sandboxes.

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They are peaceful animals who were not disturbed at all by my presence. The females have a very weak stinger, which they only use in extreme danger. There are no known allergic reactions.

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European garden spider (Araneus diadematus) 🕷️💕

Every year, an adult female garden spider builds her web in this preferred spot. The mating season begins at the beginning of August.

Sexually mature females secrete a substance whose smell attracts males.

However, the guys only notice the smell when they are up close. Therefore, the males themselves have to be good at finding and reaching promising places as well.

Garden spiders live for two years. Sexual maturity begins in the second year. The males die after mating, the females some time after laying their eggs (September-October).

If insects can feel joy, what a wonderful world.🌺🐝

At least there are experiments that suggest something like fun in insects. For example, bumblebees like to play bumblebee ball.🏀🐝

But there are also observations in many other animal species.🐟🐸🐌🐎🦜

I like the idea of ​​happy insects buzzing around.
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Just step outside and feel a warm breeze blowing through your light clothing 🥰

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. 💪😋🥬

Sunflowers are my favorite flowers🌻 Honey bees and meadow bugs also love them 😊

The common meadow bug (Lygus pratensis) is a mirid bug. In January I introduced you to the mirid bug Deraeocoris ruber. Both wear a striking triangle on their backs. A major difference is that the meadow bug only sucks on plants.💚🥤

It is native to almost the entire northern hemisphere and is very common. Because they are attracted to light, they are often found around lamps or when they stray into your home.

Help them out again! It's important to be good to animals. And it goes down well with other people too. Yesterday I was walking to the grocery store and an aphid landed in my eye. A woman approaching me saw how I carefully placed the animal in a hedge and was totally impressed.🥰 Damn! Now I've revealed the aphid trick! 😜