While the Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) is only known to most Europeans as an invasive species, it once had divine significance in its namesake homeland. Although its original distribution area extended across almost the entire African continent, it was particularly worshipped in ancient Egypt, especially around Thebes. There it was considered a deity, Gengen Wer, "the great cackler," whose loud cackle filled the primordial darkness and who laid the world egg in a mulberry tree in Heliopolis, from which light and the world then emerged. This deity was one of the various manifestations associated with the complex Egyptian pantheon, which included the fertility aspects of gods like Amun. People assumed that creation was a continuous cycle and that every human being hatched from an underworld goose egg.

When two have found each other 💕

A final prayer whispered as darkness consumes.

(I don't really feed my snake live prey)

In contrast to most other tachinid flies, the larvae of the bug fly (Phasia hemiptera) do not parasitize on caterpillars but on stink bugs.

The male is easily identified by the wings with iridescent blue-black spots.

Beautiful! 🥰

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.
✨🦋🐞🐝🦗✨

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.

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! 😜

This little beauty is a mirid bug (Deraeocoris ruber)🤠🐞

They inhabit forests, but occur mainly on sunny forest edges and open areas.🌳🌞

Mirid bugs prey on various small arthropods such as caterpillars, but particularly aphids.🌿🐛
The prey is killed and sucked out by a sting that is also painful for humans.🧃😋

But that rarely happens.😄

The species is useful and harmless.🤗 However, nature is full of phenomena. In Germany, 2016, a related species (Psallus varians) - within the same family (Miridae) - spontaneously developed an increased appetite for blood and attacked humans and animals in very large numbers.😵🩸🌳

The mirid bug is widespread in almost all of Europe (except the far north and few islands in the Mediterranean and Atlantic) - you find it in North Africa - and further east to the Caucasus. It has been introduced in some areas of North and South America.🌍🌎

Another blink of the sloth's eye
and the flowers bloom again.

🦋 Lasiommata megera, the "wall"
🐝 Bombus hortorum, the "garden bumblebee"
🏰 at the Falkenstein Castle
🌞 last summer

🌸💮🌺🌻🌼🌲🌳