An Encounter with Ocellated Skinks in Down Town Dubai

 Skinks have a small head, small legs and cylindrical body

Don't be intimidated by its tiny legs, skinks are very agile lizards

Emerging from its thick foliage hideaway in search for insects

Retreating into the thick cover of leaves  

When carefully concealed in the foliage, it looks like a snake 

Continuing in its search for food in the pathway

It was a bright but cool early afternoon, as I was conducting a site visit, when I got to observe a few shiny, slim and sleek reptiles emerging and retreating into the cover of thick foliage. These reptiles appear like small, dark colored snakes but the presence of their tiny legs revealed their true reptile identity. In the back area garden patches of a premiere location in the heart of Down Town Dubai, I was able to observe the emergence of ocellated skinks along the garden pathway. The skinks were busy setting up ambushes to capture insects for their afternoon delights.   

OCELLATED SKINK, Chalcides ocellatus (REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: SCINCIDAE)

Ocellated skinks are reptiles which  have a small  head, cylindrical body, and 5 tiny toes on each of their legs. Adult skinks can measure 15 to 30cm. These lizards exhibit a wide variety of coloration patterns. 

DISTRIBUTION of OCELLATED SKINKS  

Ocellated skinks are reported to be present in Greece, Italy, Malta, regions of North Africa, Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

BIODYNAMIC NOTES

These reptiles are very agile and are primarily INSECTIVORES (feeds mainly on insects and related  arthropods). They feed on locusts, crickets. ants, beetles, isopods. spiders, centipedes and insect larvae. They can also eat small lizards and also the tails of the younger lizards.

 DO NOT  kill these reptiles as they are important predators of insects.  

Females give birth to live young larvae (VIVIPAROUS).   

The ocellated skinks are not aggressive to humans, NONVENOMOUS and does not carry pathogenic disease causing organisms. 

It was a truly an awesome afternoon encounter observing these ocellated skinks.

SPECIAL THANKS to Mr. MJ Dela Pena of Kendah Pest Control for sharing the location of the garden patch where the skinks are thriving and also for additional pictures.   

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 a Bark Stink Bug in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai

A bark stink bug exposed in a wall

Trying to blend in 

Crawling across my safety boot

Continuing its journey, searching for new green frontiers 

I was on assignment for a project in a school facility in Nad Al Sheba area when I encountered this large bark stink bug.  It was steadily crawling, lumbering its way along the glass panel wall. I was able to spot it immediately because its dark brown coloration did not match with the white painted wall base. Away from its tree or shrub niche. it can no longer cloak itself and utilized its unique camouflage. Amazingly it even march straight up my boots as I was trying to examine it closer.    

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 a Pigeon Louse Fly in Oud Metha Dubai

Hardened, flattened with a pair of long membranous wings 

A dark figure holding on tight in a wall so white 

Its head bears a pointed proboscis

It was a cool, windy and cloudy afternoon, I was onsite, overseeing a bird control project for a premiere hospital site.  I was in the midst of checking the progress of the work with our Staff, when all of a sudden I abruptly cut our conversation. I saw a small, dark and flattened creature clinging all by itself in a light colored post. I was quite intrigued with this winged insect! I immediately took a few photo shots of my insect target before it flew away. This is the first time I have observed such a strange fly - the top potion of its thorax looks like a hardened, leather shield with outgrowths of hair, it has long creepy looking legs and the tip of its head bears a pointed proboscis. This fly is a blood sucker! This strange looking fly is the pigeon louse fly or flat fly!

PIGEON LOUSE FLIES, Pseudolynchia canariensis (DIPTERA: HIPPOBOSCIDAE)

Pigeon louse flies or pigeon flies are also called flat flies. They are brown to dark brown in color, 5-6 mm head and body length, 6-7 mm wing span. Its dorso-ventrally flattened body bear a pair of  membranous wings. Their legs have specialized claws which aids them in clinging to the feathers of their bird host. 

DISTRIBUTION OF PIGEON LOUSE FLIES

Pigeon louse flies are reported to be present in locations worldwide wherever pigeons and doves are domestically raised. They are reported to be associated with feral populations of pigeons in continental Africa, in Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, in Taiwan, the Ryukyu Islands (Japan), Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and in the USA (in Florida and the Southeastern States).

This sighting might be the first time it was reported to be present in the UAE. (Please post a comment if you have reports of earlier or other sightings).

BIODYNAMIC NOTES    

Pigeon house flies are OBLIGATE PARASITES of pigeons and doves.  

 

Obligate parasites depend completely on their hosts for their habitat, food, reproduction and survival. Without its host it will die!

Pigeon louse flies have transparent membranous wings which they retain throughout their entire adult life. A related species., the deer ked (Lipoptena cervi) lose their wings once the newly emerged adults find a deer host. 

Both male and female pigeon louse flies are blood feeders.

Pigeon louse flies have tough exoskeletons that protect them from being crushed by their host bird when it is grooming.

These hippoboscid flies are vectors and intermediate host of the protozoan parasites of pigeons, Haemoproteus columbae. This is a malaria-like parasite that has minimal effect on adult birds but is fatal when it infects the young.  They can also carry phoretic mites and bird biting lice.

TAKE NOTE: These flat flies rarely bite humans and are reported that they are NOT ABLE to transfer any diseases to us.  

This was truly an awesome chance encounter with a truly awesome and ferocious bird parasitic insect. I was only able to secure a few photo shots, hopefully I will be able to encounter these flies again. 

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 Giant Ants Locked in Combat in the Desert Area near Dubai Academic City

 

Giant ants with large mandibles locked in mortal combat 

Each ant grabbing unto fallen twigs to secure oneself and to pull its opponent

Notice the decapitated hind leg of one of the combatants

 

Twisting, grabbing, pulling as they crawl 

No ant is budging! No ant is giving up! Grip and pull!

It was a very cool morning out in the desert area adjacent the Dubai Academic City. I was exploring the sand and shrubs, searching for beetles and spiders, when I observed two large black ants with their huge mandibles tightly pulling one another. Initially, I thought the two ants were just doing their food transfer habit (trophallaxis) and will part ways. I was surprised to see that their mandibles were locked in mortal combat against each other. The two giant ants were twisting, grabbing unto fallen twigs and grasses, trying its best to secure a position to pull and overpower its opponent. It was like witnessing a live insect wrestling match and the main event  to determine the winner involves a brutal tug-of-war. I waited and observed for over 15 minutes, on my knees in the sand, the ants were relentless, no one is giving up.  The two ant warriors where still locked in mortal combat!    

GIANT ANT, Camponotus xerxes (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE) 

The Giant Ant (Camponotus xerxes) is among the largest of the ants species, belonging to the group of the Carpenter ants. The workers can measure up to 14mm while the soldiers can reach up to 18mm in length.

Worker ants  are black in color with slender head and thorax. The soldiers are also black but possessed an enlarge head equipped with massive mandibles.    

DISTRIBUTION OF GIANT ANTS

These large ants are reported and observed to be present in Saudi Arabi, Iraq, Iran, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates. 

BIODYNAMIC NOTES

Giant ants have smaller colonies as compared to other ants. They do not follow trails and are more solitary when foraging for food. They are carnivores. They feed on other insects, even fellow carpenter ants, especially the individuals from rival colonies.

These ants are active hunter during the day (DIURNAL) and are most commonly found in the desert areas.

These ants can release formic acid and their bite can produce a burning sensation on the skin. 

After 15 minutes, the two ants where still at each others mandibles. I left without seeing who among the two ant combatants won. With the tenacity of those ants it will be a long match!

Carpenter 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

An Encounter with A Pair of Spotted Owlets or Lilith Owlets in Maleha, Sharjah

A Spotted Owlet or Lilith Owlet on its rocky mountain perch

Truly majestic desert mountain predatory birds

A truly cute "beautiful eyes pose" for the explorer

The color and pattern of there plumage perfectly matched the desert 

Constantly vigilant in search for potential prey and threats

its a turn around

Thanks to the bright blue sky I can see them pass their camouflage

Protruding mountain rocks are the owls favorite roosting points

Do you agree that this mountain rock formation looks like an owl head? 

Can you spot the owlet in this picture?

There are 2 owlets in this photo. Can you spot them both?

The chilly winter season mountain air makes it truly the perfect reason to explore the UAE mountains and wadis, not just to traverse the various desert terrains but mainly to explore in search for awesome creatures. During my recent expedition to the Maleha, Sharjah trail I was truly blessed and thankful to have a close encounter with a pair of Spotted Owlets or Lilith Owlets in their rocky mountain home. The bright blue sky enabled me to spot these birds as they roost on the rocky outcrops. They were truly tough to spot as their plumage perfectly matches the color of their surroundings. As they have positioned themselves high on top the rocky mountain, I have to slowly crawl my way up to have a closer look and capture these awesome shots.  

LILITH OWLETS, Athene noctua lilith (AVES, STRIGIDAE)

These little owlets breeds on the rocky outcrops of the desert mountains. Unlike other owls, they are active during the day. There main prey on their rocky mountain desert home are mainly insects, smaller birds, lizards and rodents.   

The owlets are enjoying the awesome desert winter weather. Time for us to get out of our city dwellings and explore outdoors.    

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 the Elusive Desert Mantis in Maleha. Sharjah

Blending In! Perfectly camouflage in desert sand

This predator lies flat on the sand as it awaits potential prey

Its long and thin legs makes it extremely rapid and agile in sand

This mantis was trying to conceal itself on the desert sand and pebbles

Perfectly blending in the sand. Can you spot the mantis?

It was during our recent hike up the desert mountain trails of Maleha, after our search for desert owls and other birds. marching on the sand and stones, I observed something with a prominent head and eyes moving rapidly and trying to conceal itself on the small stones scattered along the surface of the desert sand.  Initially I thought it was a robberfly darting its way on the sand or a desert locust jumping among the stones.  But this insects was not flying and was not jumping. It was a very rapid and agile runner. I was totally surprised to see the rare and elusive, Desert Mantis!   

DESERT MANTIS, Eremiaphila brunneri (MANTODEA: EREMIAPHILIDAE)

This wingless mantis thrives well in the desert areas of the Middle East. It is a voracious predator, ambushing ants and small insects, grasping these critters with it spiked forelegs. Its a DIURNAL  insect, actively searching, hunting and waiting for its prey during the day.   

Due to the extreme environmental conditions where it lives. little information or studies have been conducted on this species.  

My chance encounter with this awesome predator is truly an awesome experience. Spotting them in the sand and stones of the desert was quite daunting! Hope to encounter this elusive predator again in my next desert exploration!  

 

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 Striped Mantis at the Wadi Al Munay, Hajjar Mountains, RAK

Stealth, streamline and speed best describes the Striped Mantis 

The cross-crossing stripes on its wings and the mottled pattern are key features

The agile and rapid raptorial front legs are its main armaments

The piercing eyes of a fearsome predator

Wielding its weapons for battle! En garde!

This awesome predator proved that it can be "handled" 

A nymph out in dry branches away from its hiding place

The young predator on the move

The young predator striking a pose on top of a rock

Its time for a little grooming - antennae cleaning moment!

This thick green and white desert bush serves as their hiding and hunting place

It was a cool and windy morning, perfect for an ascend unto the rocky foothills  at the Wadi Al Munay, Hajjar Mountains, RAK. From a thick green and white bush, I spotted something moving. I have learned to be extremely careful and mindful with moving objects in the desert vegetation. You might never know if its a snake, a scorpion or spider lurking in the bushes! Behold it was another creature designed for stealth - a perfectly camouflaged Striped Mantis! I got the chance to spot it, as it was moving away from its green and white cover unto a new branch it search for a suitable ambush site.   

THE STRIPED MANTIS, Blepharopsis mendica (MANTODEA: EMPUSIDAE)

The Stiped Mantis are large mantis species reaching up to 5 to 6cm. Bright green with white stripes making them perfectly camouflaged in desert vegetation. They have a large disc at the top of their prothorax that conceals their front legs. The front legs (raptorial legs) bear series of spikes that aid in the secure and rapid capture of prey.  

The males are more slender compared to the females with the tip of their wings reaching over the tip of the abdomen. The females are broader in size, with a wider prothorax with its wings just reaching the tip of the abdomen. Males have long feathery antennae. Females have long, thin antennae.

Nymphs looks similar in appearance and color patterns with the adults but lacks the functional wings and reproductive organs.  

This mantis is also called as the Devils Flower Mantis, Thistle Mantis and Arab Mantis. 

DISTRIBUTION of STRIPED MANTIS

The Striped Mantis is present in North Africa (Morocco, Somalia, Sudan, Mauritania), the Middle East (Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates), South Asia (Afghanistan, India, Pakistan), the Mediterranean (Cyprus, Turkey) and the Canary Islands.

BIODYNAMICS NOTES

The Striped Mantis showcases a deimatic display wherein it will raise its wings and holds its forelegs sideways. This posture will make the mantis look very big and the bright colors much visible. This stand is meant to scare away predators.

Noted as fearsome predators, they are well camouflage in low vegetation in search for insects and spiders. They lie motionless in vegetation to ambush the prey that lands and pass by. This vicious attacks are carried out by its spiked forelegs.

The Striped Mantis are observed to be less aggressive compared with other mantis species. Wherein they tend to avoid larger organisms. However the females mantids can still attack and feed on the male during mating and feed on them (such a dangerous love affair).

Females can produced 10 to 400 eggs after mating. 

Adult lifespan can reach up to 10-12 months.   

I truly had an awesome time observing and photo capturing these awesome insect predators! I feel they also like to pose for my camera as I disturbed them from their secured vegetation hideaway.     

 

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