An Encounter with the Oman Cownose Ray at the shore of Al Khan Beach, Sharjah

A pair of Cownose Rays on the shore

The distinct flattened body, a pair of fectoral fins, the long whip like tail

I was just relaxing on the sandy beach of the Al Khan Beach in Sharjah when I noticed a local fisherman approaching the shore with his catch. Curious to know what he has caught for his morning  exploits, I approached his kayak and inquired. The kindly old man revealed to me that he got a large milkfish, two medium-sized crabs and 3 Oman Cownose Rays! This is truly an awesome catch!

STINGRAYS ARE BONELESS FISHES

Stingrays or sea rays are cartilagenous fish related to sharks. They have flattened bodies which allows then to stay at the seafloor, while camouflaging itself away from predators as it hunts for its food on the bottom. A pair of eyes sits on top of its body while its mouth is on the bottom. To move around they have a pair of fectoral fins. 

The Oman Cownose Ray (Rhinoptera jayakari) is characterized by its distinct protruding cow nose like anterior.

STINGRAY DIET

The Cownose Ray feeds on clams, oysters, hard clams and other invertebrates. It uses the modified fins on its front side to produce a suction which allows food to be drawn in (suck into) its mouth, where it is crushed by a series of strong dental plates.   

STINGRAYS AND THEIR BARBS

The Oman Cownose Rays are armed with a whip-like tail that bears serrated toxin barb. If the stingray feels threatened it can lift its barbed tail upwards and injure potential predators or nearby persons. These barbs are VENOMOUS. The spine tips can break off, which can also result to infection. They are NOT AGGRESSIVE! Most sting ray attacks are due to rough handling during capture and when they are trapped or cornered. Approached this fish with CAUTION!

Its truly an awesome opportunity to see these elasmobranchs face-to-face. But it will be super amazing to see the Cownose Ray gliding freely on its natural sea habitat.  

Awesome creature. Awesome CREATOR!

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com

An Encounter with Live Maggots at the Wadi Shawkha

 

Growing larger than the adult housefly, these maggots had a feeding frenzy

Down to the bone, the maggots have completely consumed this carcass

More maggots crawling and feeding on the decomposing carcass

Fully fed, these maggots are now leaving the carcass

Maggots marching unto their soil medium to pupate 

The fox carcass found on the Wadi

A close encounter with a fox carcass at the Wadi Shawkha being consumed by maggots

In a recent expedition on the stretch of the Wadi Shawhka, we encountered a distinct stench. The cool, clean, fresh morning breeze was replaced by a strong foul odor. The smell of death! The unmistakable stink of a decomposing animal carcass. As we were marching along the dry banks of the Wadi, the stench got stronger, you can now hear the active buzzing sound of flies flying and landing on the dead animal. It was a dead fox. The fox carcass has become the new stage for the faunal succession for the saprophages and the pioneer feeders, the large filth flies (Blowflies, Houseflies) have now accomplished their part in the feeding frenzy!   

Flies Are The Pioneer Saprophages Species

In the faunal succession of  Saprophages (CARRION FEEDERS) the first to arrive (pioneer species) are the Blow flies (Calliphoridae) and House flies (Muscidae). These flies lay their eggs directly on the carcass and upon hatching the maggots readily devour the decomposing flesh. Next to arrive are the Flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) which compensates for the time by laying live maggots straight into the corpse!

The voracious feeding of the flies leads to the rapid decomposition of the carcass and set the stage for  the feeding of the other species.

For further details on Saprophages and Faunal Succession please check out my August 20, 2021 article.   

The somewhat macabre undertaking of the decomposition of dead animals is TRULY not for the faint of heart and stomach. We have to take note that this is a fundamental process in the recycling of nutrients back into the ecosystem. 

The amazing realization is that "FAUNAL SUCCESSION: reveals to us the awesome chain of organisms involved in the life and death of every creature.

In this encounter, I found my self face-to-face with live maggots voraciously feeding on an animal carcass. The stench was truly overwhelming but my curiosity and determination to observe the carrion feeders up close made my gut stronger and my nose a little less sensitive. 

Finding a fox carcass is a staunch reminder that in the places I conduct my expeditions I am in the middle of the arena of true wildlife!

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!  

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com

An Encounter with Dragonflies at the Wadi Shawkha, Ras Al Khaimah

A Carmine Darter, Crocothemis erythraea high on its perch 

Another Carmine Darter, preparing for flight 

Head twist, wings flap, tail lift, ready for take off

Top view of the Carmine Darter

A Purple Darter, Diplacodes lefebvrei, this is quite an elusive one

An Orange Darter,  Trithemis kirbyi, resting on a rock

An Orange Darter atop a rock surrounded by water in the Wadi

A Clubtail female, Paragomphus spp. on its rock perch at the wadi

The female Clubtail with its gaze on the water 

The Gully Garter, Trithemis arteriosa

Notice the red body color, the tinge on the wing base and the distinct marking on the tail 

The Gully Darter getting ready for take-off 

One of the numerous water pools across the wadi 

The intermittent rains across the Hajjar Mountain range has led to the appearance of water pool patches along the stretch of the Wadi Shawkha. Taking advantage of the presence of these water pools are the various species of dragonflies. Darting in great speed, perching on nearby vegetation and rocks, actively hunting for prey and breeding on the clear water, the pools and its surrounds is busy with activity!

Its difficult to imagine how great distances these dragonflies have covered to reach these water pools. 

I truly enjoyed spending the time photo hunting these awesome "mosquito hawks" on the crystal clear pools of the Wadi Shawkha. The long march across the wadi was an awesome expedition! 

To allow the next generations to enjoy the beauty, the ferocity and the diversity of these creatures, lets continue to protect and conserve these beneficial insect predators. 

For notes on DRAGONFLIES BIODYNAMICS please refer to my August 04, 2021 article.

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR! 

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com. 

  

An Afternoon Encounter with the Greater Flamingoes at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Dubai

 

Pretty in pink! The greater flamingoes are a sight to behold

Graceful like ballerinas on those stilt-like legs

Time to gather around for a dance number

Dancing or flight mode?

The long, S-shaped necks

The neck: S-Curved or Straight Line simply amazing! 

There is beauty in solitude

It's more beautiful when it involves Me and You

The Flamingoes of the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary are simply awesome! 

Just a short drive from downtown Dubai is the awesome Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. This wonderful nature reserve is home to a great number of birds and other awesome creatures. The mangrove forest here is also well established and thriving! Among the numerous birds in the sanctuary, the Greater Flamingoes are the "true stars of the show". Off from work, I just took a little detour to have a lovely afternoon "bird gazing" at these bird stars. I have seen these flamingoes numerous times but they are just so graceful and captivating. Reminds me of the graceful ballerinas in a rendition of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.. Time to play the classical music!   

Description of the Greater Flamingoes, Pheonicopterus roseus

The greater flamingoes are the largest living species of flamingoes in the world. It can grow up to a height of 110-150 cm (43-59inches) and can weigh 2-4kgs. The largest male flamingo reported have reached 187cm and 4.5kgs. 

They have stilt-like legs and thin, long necks which can form S-shaped curves. They are equipped with curved beaks. Most of the plumage of these graceful birds are pinkish-white (that's why most people call them the pink flamingoes). Its wing coverts are red and the primary and secondary feathers are black. Juveniles are grey-brown, wherein their plumage turns pink when they reach the age of two. 

Distribution of the Greater Flamingoes

These flamingoes are found in parts of Africa, South Asia and in the Middle East and Southern Europe. In the United Arab Emirates they are mainly found in: Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Al Qudra Lake (Dubai) and  at the Al Wathba Nature Reserve, Mangrove National Park, Bul Syayeef Marine Protected Area (Abu Dhabi) and in the selected coastlines of Fujairah.  

Biodynamic Notes 

Greater flamingoes thrives on shallow, salty lagoons, lakes and creeks ("khors") where they breed and feed.  They filter their food (plankton, algae, crustaceans, mollusks and insects) from the water using their uniquely designed curved beaks.

It is reported that they get their pink plumage color from the pigment called "carotenoids" derived from the plankton, shrimps and other other crustaceans that they feed upon. 

These birds are monogamous and are noted to produce only one egg during the breeding season.

These graceful birds are an awesome reminder of our role to protect our environment and to keep there breeding and feeding areas safe from human encroachment and destruction. 

Greater flamingoes are truly a sight to behold in their natural environment! Lets keep it that way!

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR! 

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com

An Encounter with Desert Runner Ants (Cataglyphis niger) in Dubai

A desert runner ant exhibiting its characteristic upwards folded abdomen

Ant workers emerging from their sand cavern

Ant defenders in formation at the colony entry way

On the move again.. with the threat gone, back to foraging!

Ant workers leaving the nest to forage in the open desert 

The sun was just beginning to emerge, its another early morning desert expedition! This time I was exploring the desert area between Dubai Academic City and Silicon Oasis. A feature that caught my attention was the distinguishable cavern in the sand guarded and constructed by an awesome assemblage of ants. These ants were moving in and out of their sandy dwelling unto the open desert to forage with their abdomens folded upwards. Upon detecting my presence, individual ants formed a row of defenders near the entrance to block the other workers from emerging and also to analyze the situation. Amazingly, after a few minutes in defense formation, the ants broke their ranks to march unto the desert sand and continue their day of foraging. 

The Desert Runner Ants, Cataglyphis niger (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE- Formicinae)

The queen of the desert runner ant, has a reddish-brown body and head with black abdomen (gaster), it is 14-15mm long. The male (king), is mainly black in color and measure 10mm long. Workers have reddish brown body and head with black gaster.  

Polymorphism is exhibited among the ant workers. Ant workers length can vary from  5-15mm. 

Worker ants fold their abdomen upwards to avoid touching the hot sand as the ants proceed outside their nest to forage. Amazingly, the ant workers bear ocelli which possess very good vision. The functional ocelli allows these ants to orient themselves unto the position of the sun or the moon in the sky and via polarized light to determine their path back to the nest. These ants can traverse up to 500 meters away from their nest and still find its way back! (That's a truly radical navigation system!)

Workers also have long legs and labial palps and exhibit rapid movement which makes these ants perfectly adapted for the extremely hot desert environments (conditions up to 50°C). Their bodies are composed of unique long-chain cuticular hydrocarbons which allows these ants to be more extreme temperature tolerant. They can forage even during the heat of mid day!

Distribution of the Desert Runner Ants, Cataglyphis niger

These desert ants are widespread in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, Oman. Iran and Israel. These ants are reported to be prevalent  as well in the UAE.

Biodynamic Notes

These ants thrive in extreme arid conditions of the desert. They form deep nest in the sand. A nest can be comprised of 200 to 2000 ants. Desert Runner Ants are polygyne, the nest can have  2 to 12 queens. 

A queen have a lifespan of up to 12 years. Unlike the matrimonial process for other ant species, there is no "nuptial flight" for the ant reproductives of Cataglyphis niger. Instead, a "bridal run" occurs, wherein the male ant runs after the potential reproductive females on the ground.  

These ants practice polydomy, a nesting habit whereby the colony is comprised of several nests that extends over a large territory and the workers exhibit continuous movement between nests. This habit enables them to have a larger foraging area. Studies also revealed that these ants can potentially form supercolonies. An ant supercolony is a colony that spans over large territories comprised of a dozen to thousands of nest having no boundaries on the area they cover.  

They are voracious foragers.  Mainly insectivores, they can attack and feed on other ants species and against ants from a different colony. These ants are also necrophagous (they consume dead animals which succumbed to the hot weather) and if available they can feed on fruits and on animal manure. 

These ants are not aggressive to humans and do not sting. 

These ants are such marvelous sight to observed in the heat of the desert sun. Their keen sense of navigation and their endurance is truly awesome. However far the ant worker travels to forage it always finds its way back to the nest! Unlike me who is completely dependent on GoogleMap to travel to and fro my journeys! 

The Desert Runner Ants are truly awesome! Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com. 

Notes on Saprophages and Faunal Succession

 

Stripped to the bone, the skull remains of an animal carcass 

After its ordeal from a marauding predator, the remains of the animal carcass was "processed" by a succession of saprophages

The beautiful but hostile desert environment of the Maleha Mountain Trail

In search for insects and birds at the Maleha Mountain trail in Sharjah, as I was walking on the desert plain, I stumbled upon the remains of an animal (most probably a goat). Amazingly, only a portion of the neck and skull of the animal was left. The skull was stripped-off white! After its ordeal from predators or succumbing to the intense desert heat it was processed by a succession of saprophages!

ANIMAL CARCASSES and SAPROPHAGES

The carcass of dead animals is a rich source of nutrients and organic matter for insects and mites called saprophages (derived from the Greek word sapros = rotten and phagein  = to devour, to eat). These insects and other related organisms are an essential part of the ecosystem which aids in the recycling of dead organic matter. 

There are mainly 3 types of Saprophages: 

1. Those that feed on dead animals (carrion)

2. Those that feed on animal feces or excrement

3. Those that feed on dead or dying tissues

CARRION FEEDERS and FAUNAL SUCCESSION

The carrion feeders includes numerous types of fly larvae (maggots), beetles, mites, moths and others. Each species colonizes the dead body for a limited period of time and as a group, they each contribute to the consumption and rapid decay of the animal flesh. This change in species composition between saprophages is called faunal succession. 

WARNING: The sequence of events is not for the faint of heart and stomach!  

The first to arrive (pioneer species) are the Blow flies (Calliphoridae) and House flies (Muscidae). These flies lay their eggs directly on the carcass and upon hatching the maggots readily devour the decomposing flesh. Next to arrive are the Flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) which compensates for the time by laying live maggots straight into the corpse!

Upon undertaking further degrees of decomposition that results to butyric fermentation, the small flies called Cheese skippers, Piophila casei  (Piophilidae) is attracted to the rotting flesh and joins the feeding frenzy. 

Once the animal body putrefies, numerous species of beetles begin to arrive and forage on the carcass surface. The Rove beetles (Staphylinidae) and the Clown Beetles (Histeridae) comes in and feeds on the numerous fly maggots. Beetles which have stronger chewing mouthparts than the semi-liquid feeding flies are the ones which focus on the animal skin and tendons. These tough scavenger beetles next in line include the Hide beetles (Dermestidae) and the Ham Beetles (Cleridae). Carrion beetles (Silphidae) and Carcass beetles (Trogidae) also feed on carrion but they are considered minor contributors to decomposition. 

Present also on the early stage of decomposition of carrion are the Gamasid Mites, Macrocheles spp  which is followed by Tyroglyphid mites which feeds on the dry skin during the later stages. 

The last to arrive are the clothes moths (Tineidae), wherein the females lay their eggs on the animal carcass after the flies feeding frenzy and development. The clothes moth larvae feeds on any remaining hair and therefore are the last animals involved in the decomposition of the carcass.  

Hopefully, I will be able to physically encounter, document my findings and prepare detailed features on each of these saprophages in our future articles. 

 

The somewhat macabre undertaking of the decomposition of dead animals is TRULY not for the faint of heart and stomach. We have to take note that this is a fundamental process in the recycling of nutrients back into the ecosystem. 

The amazing realization is that "FAUNAL SUCCESSION: reveals to us the awesome chain of organisms involved in the life and death of every creature.

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!  

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com

A Flesh Fly (Sarcophaga spp.) Encounter at the Industrial Area in Sharjah

 

The Flesh Fly, Sarcophaga spp. 

They have a pair characteristically smooth, red compound eyes

Flesh flies are generally larger than the housefly and blowflies 

The three darkened longitudinal stripes on the thorax

It was another hot, summer afternoon, I have just concluded a site visit and client meeting at the Industrial Area of Sharjah. As I was on my way back to the car, a large fly darted as it passed my right side, I heard its distinct buzz sound as it landed on the pavement, up again and unto the potted plants nearby. The large fly foraging by the road side is the Flesh Fly, Sarcophaga spp. 

Flesh Flies, Sarcophaga spp. (DIPTERA: SARCOPHAGIDAE)

The common name "flesh fly" was derived from the habit of the larvae (maggots) of most species to feed and develop in spoiled meat and decaying flesh. 

Flesh flies are relatively large, robust flies. The adults are 6-11mm long, with a pair of smooth red compound eyes, blackish gray body with a checkered pattern abdomen. There are 3 distinct dark longitudinal stripes on the thorax. The mouthparts are of the sponging type designed for lapping liquids from sugars and decomposing organic matter. 

Flesh fly larvae are white to pale yellowish, 9.5-20mm long, eyeless, legless and tapered towards the head from its large rounded rear segment. These maggots have hook-like mouthparts that tease apart the tissues of their host. (THAT IS WHAT YOU CALL INTENSE)!

Distribution of Flesh Flies, Sarcophaga spp.

Flesh flesh are widely distributed world wide. There are 2500 reported species of Sarcophagidae.

Biodynamics Notes

Female flesh flies are ovoviparous - opportunistically depositing hatched or hatching maggots instead of eggs on dead animals, feces and decomposing organic materials and even on the open wound of a mammal. Around 20-40 live maggots can be deposited on the carcass. For a single season a female can produce >300 eggs.

Preferred flesh flies larval breeding and feeding sites include decomposing meat, garbage, animal carcass and manure. 

In residential and commercial premises, its is important to check and properly deal with these filth flies pest prevalence factors: 1) crags on walls where dead birds got stuck, 2) animal droppings that are hidden or left unclean underneath furniture and appliances, 3) open pits in the gardens where there is accumulation of pet droppings, 4) open and uncollected garbage bins with animal waste and used diapers.  

Total developmental period varies from 15-26 days influenced by food and environmental conditions. Adult lifespan of flesh flies 15-21 days.

Because of their association with dead animals and well studied life development periods (especially the maggots), these large flies are utilized for FORENSIC INVESTIGATION purposes.

Due to the association with animal carcass and other filthy conditions, flesh flies are considered MEDICALLY IMPORTANT filth flies as they can carry and transmit leprosy bacilli and the pathogens that cause diarrhea and dysentery and also MYIASIS (= infection of a fly maggot on a human tissue). 

Some species of flesh flies are known as parasites of snails, wasps, grasshoppers, beetles and acting as biological control agents. 

IPM RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Inspection. Inspection. Inspection. Conduct detailed inspection of the area to determine filth flies entry points, breeding, feeding areas and other structural factors favoring their presence. 

2. Larval breeding sites removal. Keep area clean and dispose garbage properly (especially animal waste and decaying organic materials). 

3. Exclusion procedures. Proper door management, repair and secure all window and door screens. 

4. Insect Light Traps. Strategic installation of insect light traps indoors to capture the flying intruders.

5. Outdoor Fly Bottle Traps. Strategic installation of fly bottle traps on applicable areas outdoors to minimize numbers (just be cautious on your bottle trap placement points as the contents of the fly bottle traps will get stinky).

6. Targeted chemical treatments. Application of residual insecticide or chemical fly bait formulations on appropriate fly resting sites. (READ, UNDERSTAND and FOLLOW the PESTICIDE LABEL always).     

Flesh flies are included in the dreaded group of large filth flies (houseflies, blowflies), wherein their population development is highly influenced by the factors human activity creates! Meaning, more filth from humans means more favorable factors  available for filth flies!

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com