A Bristletail Encounter: there is an insect crawling out of my books!

It was my afternoon reading time, when all of a sudden, a fast, carrot-shaped, gray colored with numerous black markings insect came crawling out of my books.  It was the wingless insect - called a bristletail!

These insects are called bristletails because of the 3 long, bristle like appendages on the posterior end of the insects body. They have flattened, tear drop/carrot/fish-shaped bodies. The two main types of commonly occurring bristletails are: the silverfish (Lepisma spp.) and the firebrats (Thermobia spp.). 

Silverfish have a uniform silvery-metallic sheen on its body and 4 long dark lines which extends lengthwise. Firebrats are mottled gray in color with numerous dark markings throughout the length of its body.

Developmental time (egg to adult) takes about 2-4 months under favorable conditions. 

Both insects commonly occur indoors. They can also persist on clutter in storage rooms, attics and garages. Firebrats can be found on firewood piles outdoors. Firebrats are reported to thrive in warm conditions 32-42C and at 76-85% RH. Locations like boiler rooms, bakeries, hot attics and steam tunnels, around ovens are favorable breeding places for firebrats.  Both are fast runners, prefer the dark, hiding mostly in the daytime and stays inside tight cracks and crevices. 

Both insects have chewing mouthparts and can feed on a wide variety of food materials, with  preference to both carbohydrates and proteins. They can feed on a wide variety of materials such as rolled oats, dried beef, bond paper, linen, cotton, silk, glue, viscose rayon carpets, cloth materials, etc. 

Amazingly silverfish and firebrats are extremely resistant to starvation  and they can exist without feeding for long periods of time. They are also long-lived and the adult life span can exceed 3 years. 

Another amazing habit of these bristletails is that they can molt 45-60 times. Even as adults they can still undertake molting. They somewhat never stop growing and developing! (something we humans must learn and practice) They can also regenerate injured or damaged appendages (mega awesome!) 

Bristletails are truly awesome! 

Awesome creature! Awesome Creator!

 

Flower Power at the Maleha Trail

 

Caper bush flower, Capparis spp. 

Caper bush flower, Capparis spp. 

Sodoms Apple, Calotropis procera

Acacia flowers

Acacia flowers

Unidentified desert plant 

Unidentified desert plant

Nothing beats Flower Power to usher beauty and wonder to the summer season!

 In our Maleha trail expedition today, we were not able to spot any interesting wild life and insects. 

What caught my attention as we traversed up the mountain was the explosion of color, form and variety of desert plants. Each species thriving and showcasing an awesome spectacle of blossoms even in such harsh, dry and rocky conditions. 

Reminds me of this quote from Charles H. Spurgeon:  "As the smiling flowers gratefully reflect in their lovely colors the various constituents of the solar ray, so should gratitude spring up in our hearts after the smiles of God's providence."    

Thanks be to God for the awesome showcase of Your creative handiwork and Your continuous outpouring of grace! Thanks be to God!

Awesome creation! Awesome Creator!

Forty-five nymphs emerging from a German cockroach egg capsule

 

German cockroaches are awesome!

Their small size (adults - 13-16mm), flattened bodies (which allows them to squeeze into and thrive inside tight cracks and cervices), being highly adaptable omnivores (with the ability to feed on anything of nutritive value), adaptation to warm and humid environments (especially inside kitchens and food production areas), there short developmental period (egg to adult in 53 days) and the high reproductive capacity makes these indoor dwelling cockroaches the most important and most common insect pest encountered in residential, commercial properties and food establishments. 

The battle against the German cockroach is the main source of service activity and income for pest management professionals.  

Just recently I had a close encounter on truly how high the reproductive capacity of these cockroaches are! I got to observed a female German cockroach with its newly hatched egg capsule (ootheca) stuck in a glueboard. The female cockroach got captured on the sticky surface, releasing its mature ootheca and upon emergence all of nymphs also got captured. 

I was amazed to observe and count that there were 45 cockroach nymphs which emerged from the ootheca! Again 45 cockroach nymphs from just a single ootheca! (An average 30-40 eggs is reported in literature). We must also bear in mind that the female cockroach can produce 4-8 ootheca in her life span of 200 days. Doing the math will reveal to us how fast the population build up of cockroaches can be especially when favorable conditions (moisture, food and harborage areas) are present. 

It is also important to note, that compared to the other cockroach species, the German cockroach female carries the ootheca 1-2 days before hatching and carefully depositing it in a hidden area (some form of maternal protection) thus ensuring higher egg capsule survivability and safety against predators and parasites. 

Cockroaches are indeed pests! But it is important to ponder that the growth of their population inside human premises is brought about by the numerous favorable factors we humans tend to give these insects. Food, moisture, harborage sites and filthy conditions are what we humans consciously or unconsciously provide for these very adaptable and opportunistic insects!

Lastly, focus inspection, focus treatment procedures and a focus sanitation program are key in winning any battle with these highly reproductive indoor dwelling cockroaches.   

German cockroaches are truly awesome! 

Awesome creature! Awesome Creator! 

 

Fox Encounter at the Maleha Trail

Early morning hike at the Maleha Trail! Took an early morning open desert march in preparation for our early morning ascent up the mountain trail.  

Something awesome caught our attention early into our mountain expedition!

The sun was just beginning to rise and its radiant light enveloping the sky. Our expedition Team was just beginning our ascent when from a distance we spotted something moving on the rocky slopes of the mountain. It was a fox carrying in its mouth its morning catch - a bird! As the successful hunter traverse up the slopes, a second fox came lumbering into our view. The second fox had no prey yet on its mouth and was very quick to move away. Our eyes were fix on the first fox, we were keen to see where it will proceed bearing its captured meal. As like entering a secret chamber on the mountain slopes, the fox disappeared from view. It seems like it gained access into the natural cavern  along the mountain slope. 

We climb up the slope, trying to follow the foxes, determine to have a closer glimpse. 

We discovered a cave on the mountain slope with a tunnel like access. The tunnel was small but deep and it can easily accommodate a fox. Upon seeing the possible den of the fox, we decided to leave it alone and pursue our climb. (We did not let our curiosity lead us into a scenario we do not want)

Thanks be to God that upon our ascent, we were able to spot again the second fox. And that was the time I was able to get a shot (photo shot) at the awesome desert predator. 

Spotting the fox from a great distance, I am not sure if what we saw was the Arabian Red Fox or the Blandford Fox. The fox we saw was grayish in color,  slim body structure, with long ears and a large bushy tail with white colored tip.

Foxes are omnivores,  it feeds on small mammals, birds, insects and also on dates and zidr apples. 

The showcase of speed, agility and stealth by these foxes is truly awesome! It was so cool to experience this display out in there natural habitat!

It encourages me to do more nature expeditions. It leads me to thank and praise God more for allowing me to enjoy His awesome creatures up close. 

Awesome creature! Awesome Creator! 

A Blanket Octopus Encounter in Mamzar captured on Video

 

This is truly awesome!

A few days after my encounter with the blanket octopus at the Jumeirah Open beach, my dearest Friend and Brother in Christ, Mr, Reginant Galleta had a similar sighting of the blanket octopus, this time at the Mamzar Beach (around 30km away).  He saw the octopus in shallow water near the shore. And the cool thing was, he was able to capture on video his encounter!

The color, the form and the skin blanket was clearly visible. hopefully this will allow specialist  who gets to see this post to guide us further on information regarding these cephalopod species.

(Because I have to admit my field of specialization is mainly on arthropods: insects, spiders and Acari and on public and structural pests organisms). I am also curious to learn more of the other awesome creatures the Lord God allows me to encounter.  

Sharing this with you so that you can also be amaze! Also to remind each one to continue to protect and conserve our marine habitats! 

Again thanks Bro Regie for sharing this awesome video!

Awesome creatures! Awesome Creator!

 

Street Smart Bird Encounter: Indian Mynahs Living it Up in Dubai

As they fly, hop and walk on street pathways, parking lots and on pedestrian crossing lanes, these cheeky birds have captured my attention! I have also noticed them on road sides of major streets, moving and foraging alongside the stop and go vehicular traffic. Somewhat oblivious to the rushing vehicles and the noise! 

Looks like these birds have adapted to the hustle-and-bustle of the ultra busy Dubai lifestyle.

The Indian Mynah (Acridotheres tristis) are invasive birds that have well established  themselves in the high streets of  Dubai.   

The Indian Mynah or Common Mynah have a brown colored body with black head. It has a yellow bill, legs and eye patch. When in flight it will reveal a large white wing portion. 

These birds are able to produce distinct bird calls which include: croaks, chirps, clicks, growls, squawks and whistles. These Mynah usually fluffs its feather and bods its head when its in singing mood. They produce a screeching sound which serves as a warning to its mate and other birds when there is danger nearby from a potential predator or when its time for them to take flight.

Being omnivores, they feed on insects, spiders, small reptiles, seeds, fruits and on human rubbish. Particularly human food wastes! They leisurely walk on the ground, hopping occasionally while foraging for insects and their other fave dainties. 

Indian mynahs are notable opportunistic feeders and nest dwellers. They are noted to bully there way into the nest and territory of other small birds, particularly sparrows.

Mating pairs of mynahs are partners for life! Now that's feathered commitment!

These birds are really nice to watch as they move and display their street smart stuff!

Awesome creatures! Awesome Creator!

 

Blanket Octopus Encounter at Jumeirah Beach

 

I was enjoying my morning swim today at the Jumeirah Open Beach, Dubai, when I overheard some kids shouting and pointing at something that scared them. The large object was slowly moving near the shore and you could see its slimy, shiny head protruding above the water surface. To my surprise it was not a large squid but an octopus. It was a rare Blanket Octopus!

Immediately, I borrowed a bucket from a beach guest, cautioned the kids and other beach goers to stay clear of the tentacles and the ink squirting. I carefully guided the octopus inside the bucket, allowed the curious ones to take a closer glimpse (and also give me some time to grab and return my phone to take a photo). I swam and floated the bucket to a deeper portion of the beach to allow the octopus to swim back to the open sea on its own. It was upon release from the bucket that I was able to see its large. deep red-colored skin blanket. It swam back to deeper water waving to me its wide skin cape! 

Blanket octopuses, Tremoctopus sp. are free swimming cephalopods that do not spend time at the sea floor like other octopus species. They conduct hunting and feeding on the open sea surface, mainly attacking smaller fish.  

They got the name from the long skin cape attached to its dorsal and dorsolateral tentacles. The blanket extension can only be observed on the females. It serves as a defense mechanism to allow it to look larger and sacrifice portions of it when attacked by large predators. Yes, these octopuses can also squirt ink when threatened! The female blanket octopus can grow up to 2 meters in length, while the males are quite miniscule, only reaching a mere 2.4cm. Another unique adaptation, is the ability of male octopus and juvenile females to grab a poisonous tentacle of a "Portuguese man-of-war" and use it as a defensive whip!

Octopuses are known for their intelligence, blanket octopuses can learn and recall, as well as mimic behaviors (for protection and hunting) exhibited by other octopuses. They can also show varying temperaments and preferences towards different behaviors and creatures. Simply Amazing!

Truly glad to have encountered this cephalopod and was able to safely release it back to the open sea.

Awesome creature! Awesome Creator!

    

    

Let's All Be Bee Friendly! My Arabian Dwarf Honey Bees Encounter

Early this week, I was contacted to offer technical advise regarding a "bee incursion" on the balcony of a residential building. Their question: "What should we do to kill and remove these bees swarming in our balcony?" They were quite surprised with my answer: I told them that "these bees are the Arabian Dwarf Honey Bees. Please do not kill them. They are not aggressive and are harmless to humans! The bees will stay only for a short while in your balcony. They will leave the area voluntarily. Please do not spray pesticides on the bee hive." 

The Arabian Dwarf Honey Bees, Apis florea, are tiny red brown bees, 7-10mm in size. They are smaller than the Domestic Honey Bee, Apis mellifera. These small bees are commonly found in South and South East Asia and also in the Middle East Region. They are considered the main natural pollinators here in the United Arab Emirates.

As mentioned above, these dwarf bees are harmless to humans. They do not sting in the same manner as the Domestic Honey Bee. Their main defense mechanism against invaders is by producing a loud ensemble of a hissing and wing beating sound called as "piping." The hissing sound of thousands of bee wings beating is audible to humans! Against ants, the worker bees produce and form a sticky zone barrier to deter raiding ants from looting their nest.

Let's all Bee Friendly! Let these bees do their pollination work and produce their tasty honey! 

(Confession: Like Winnie The Pooh - I like sweet, sweet honey! Yum, yum, yum!) 

My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul, if you find it, there will be a future and your hope will not be cut off. (Proverbs 24: 13-14, ESV)

Awesome creatures! Awesome Creator!