Two specimens of Lycus poultoni on top of each other. You can see two pairs of antennae. The Walsingham Farm, Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024). A member of the net-winged beetles in the tribe Lycini, family Lycidae. An ochraceous bug with species-specific black markings. Head very deeply depressed, eyes forming two deep pits, and long… Continue reading Lycus poultoni
Category: Terrestrial
Recurved swallowtail (Urapteroides recurvata)
Close-up of a specimen of recurved swallowtail. The Walsingham Farm, Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024). Forewing 21 - 26 mm. Front margin of forewings slightly convex and bearing tiny brown spots. Wings white, bordered by a thin brown line, variably spotted, with fine black spots in some individuals, and neatly divided by 3 fine transverse… Continue reading Recurved swallowtail (Urapteroides recurvata)
Eastern Cape giant cycad (Encephalartos altensteinii)
The Eastern Cape giant cycad is shaped like a palm tree. The Walsingham Farm, Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024). Medium to large evergreen, long-lived plant producing initially a single erect trunk and can grow up to 7 meters tall. Some plants will produce suckers at the base of the trunk, which in time develop to… Continue reading Eastern Cape giant cycad (Encephalartos altensteinii)
Leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)
Leopard turtoise sticking its head out of its shell to check for safety. The Walsingham Farm, Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024). Also referred to as the mountain tortoise, or bergskilpad (in Afrikaans). Fourth largest species of tortoise in the world, with typical adults reaching 40 cm for 13 kg. Maximum adult size vary along their… Continue reading Leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)
White-edge slug (Latoia intermissa)
Male white-edge slug holding on a security gate. The Walsingham Farm, Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024). Previously called Latoia albicosta, also referred to as the white-edge Latoia. Forewing 14 - 21 mm. Thorax setose, reddish-brown. Abdomen light orange. Forewings divided by an oblique line, basal section dark brown, distal section lighter, with the leading edge… Continue reading White-edge slug (Latoia intermissa)
Cape weaver (Ploceus capensis)
Male Cape weaver working on a brand new nest. The Walsingham Farm, Port Alfred, Eastern Cape, South Africa (2024). A large weaver with a long, pointed bill. Breeding male is less yellow above than 'golden' weavers, with a chestnut wash on the face and throat, but lacks the well-defined bib of the Southern brown-throated weaver… Continue reading Cape weaver (Ploceus capensis)
Common ghost mantis (Phyllocrania paradoxa)
Male leaf mantid attempting to remain motionless to blend with its surroundings. The Walsingham Farm, Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024). Large mantid that mimics dead leaves. Head has a long, erected, wavy dorsal projection. Legs are ornamented with prominent leaf-like lobes.Males are slender and mottled brown with dark shoulders and a darker cross on their… Continue reading Common ghost mantis (Phyllocrania paradoxa)
Fiscal flycatcher (Sigelus silens)
Male fiscal flycatcher on top of a scrawny dead tree. Baviaanskloof, Eastearn Cape (2020). A striking, pied flycatcher with white panels in otherwise black wings and tail. Resembles the Southern fiscal in broad colour pattern, but bill more slender, tail shorter, legs longer and white in wings confined to secondaries (not wing coverts) and white… Continue reading Fiscal flycatcher (Sigelus silens)
Painted bug (Bagrada hilaris)
Two adult painted bugs mating, the smaller one being the male. The Walsingham Farm, Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024). Also called the bagrada bug, or the twee-twee-luisie. Adult males and females are similar in appearance, with the female being larger. Back of both sexes black with orange and white spots. Underside of the abdomen varies… Continue reading Painted bug (Bagrada hilaris)
Cardinal woodpecker (Dendropicos fuscescens)
Male cardinal woodpecker pecking up a tree. Grahamstown, Eastern Cape (2020). A small woodpecker with a streaked breast and belly. Back is boldly barred in the South, while becoming plainer in the North-East. Both sexes have a plain, whitish face with a bold, black moustachial stripe. Slightly smaller than the green-backed woodpecker. Both sexes are… Continue reading Cardinal woodpecker (Dendropicos fuscescens)
F*CK FISH 