Desert Thorn Shrub Flower Power Encounter at Jabel Jais, RAK

Purple flower power at Jabel Jais

Which caught your attention? The orchid like flower? Or the long spines?

I am not sure if these berries are edible, I did not taste.

Lovely rows of purple 

A robust shrub in full bloom on the heights of the Jabel Jais 

It was on a recent camping and hiking expedition at the Jabel Jais in RAK, that I encountered these robust, red purple to purple super spiny shrub. The bright and lovely colors of the tiny flowers and berries plus the rows upon rows of long spines really caught my gaze. The rows of the berries reminds me of grapes and blueberries looks truly appetizing. Thankfully, I was able to control myself and avoided picking and tasting! Was also trying to check out if the birds will be be able to feed on the berries amidst that full, long spine protection. These Lycium spp (Ausaj in Arabic) are spread out on the rocky slopes of the mountain. 

The winter season has brought out an awesome exhibition of flower power even up on the heights of the Jabel Jais. It is truly a lovely mountain winter season!

Awesome creation! 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 

My Second Encounter with Robber flies at the Maleha Trail in Sharjah

A Robberfly gearing up for position as it awaits its next victim

This Robberfly jumps like a grasshopper, flies in circles and makes a loud buzzing sound

The bulbous tip of the abdomen reveals that this is a male

A curious threesome: a female mating while clasping another male 

The female Robberfly is distinguished by its pointed abdominal tip  

In my recent expedition at the Maleha Trail in Sharjah, I experienced a new encounter with the super agile insect predators making its presence felt in the desert sand. I got to observed again the ferocious Robberflies! What really got my attention was that these large flies were jumping like grasshoppers in the sand,  they fly around in a circular pattern and makes a distinctly loud buzzing sound. I was also able to observed a "special pair" of Robberflies mating. This love team was a curious one, wherein as the male and female were still "in the act", the female was clasping on a dead male. A Robberfly femme fatale! 

Robber Flies (ASILIDAE)

Robber flies are robust, powerful dipterans with sharp eyes, strong spiny legs, quick reflexes and agile flight capability. These true flies are fierce predators of other insects. They got their name from their behavior of pouncing on unsuspected insect victims. Literally "robbing the insects of their lives"! This is done while the insect prey is in-flight!

The large compound eyes provide the Robberflies specialized vision that allows them to see virtually in a 360 degree angle. (Now that's what you call the eyes of a hunter!) 

There are 7000 species reported to belong to the family ASILIDAE worldwide. 

This is my second encounter and feature on these awesome insect predators, I have featured them first on my July 03, 2021 article. An exciting bonus on this second encounter is witnessing a mating pair!  

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 Giant Gourami Fish in Al Nahda, Dubai

Large, playful and a true attention grabber was this fish named Goura

Goura is a 14-year old Asiatic Giant Gourami (Smile!)

Goura posing and showing his other side

Goura enjoyed the attention and swam blissfully with his goldfish buddies

It was during a site inspection and product trial, that the facility's Security Officer introduced me to an awesome 14-year large albino fish, blissfully swimming on its large aquarium and playing (or harassing) with its goldfish buddies. Its Caretaker, called the fish Goura, derived from its common named, the Asiatic Giant Gourami. The fish tank which bear Goura was the centerpiece of the lobby of a residential facility. When you enter the Main Lobby you will never missed seeing this large albino blissfully swimming around and trying to get the attention of passersby.    

The Giant Gourami, Osphronemus goramy

This fish is a representative species of the large gourami native fresh water habitats in Southeast Asia, its occurrence in other locations are due to fish introductions. Gourami is also a commercially farmed food fish. It is also a popular aquaria species (especially the large albinos). These giants can appear as pale to golden yellow with silvery blue stripes running vertically long its body.

It is reported that this fish can reach up to 70cm (28 in) in length, in average growing up to 48cm (18in).

Giant Gourami are mainly herbivores preferring an algae-based diet but it can also consumed meaty foods like dried bloodworms and brine shrimp.      

My encounter with Goura was an awesome experience! It was also fun as the large fish seems to like the attention and was very comfortable having his photo taken. It responds to gentle taps on its large glass tank with a smile (fish style) and a stare down. Thru its 14-years of being a pet fish it seems to be relaxed in the presence of viewers. 

I wish Goura more amazing years of fun and playfulness with his goldfish buddies. (By the way, the Caretaker of Goura is looking for referrals as this big boy is looking for a girl fish-friend, if you know one similar of a similar species kindly send me a message and photo of the lady fish).

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 Dhofar Toads at the Wadi Shawkha, RAK

 

The Dhofar Toad, Bufo dhufarensis

This toad is curious to check out the intruder in their hidden pool 

Keeping it cool! The Dhofar Toad immersing itself on the remaining water

The toad emerged out of the water pool as it got disturbed by my presence

Enjoying the last patches of moisture and mud on a dry Wadi Shawkha 

The toads were in observed in this small pool of water concealed by large boulders 

It was in a recent expedition at the Wadi Shawkha in RAK that I got to encounter an amazing quartet of amphibians safe and secure on the few patches of mud and moisture on the expanse of the Wadi. The toads had a small pool concealed underneath emerging boulders. Searching for mosquito larvae, I found this small pool and mud patch populated not by wrigglers but by four toads. This is my first encounter with toads here in the UAE, my first to observe in their natural Wadi environment.   

THE DHOFAR TOAD, Bufo dhofarensis (BUFONIDAE)

The Dhofar Toad has bulging eyes, green to dark brown in color, often mottled with speckled darker markings. It has a tympanum (distinct circular pattern) behind the lower portion of its eyes that can easily be seen.  

 

The Dhofar Toad or Oman Toad is one of the only two toads species reported to be present in the UAE.  Along with the Arabian Toad (Sclerophrys arabica), both are endemic to the Arabian Peninsula and can be observed in Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.    

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 Green Bottle Flies at the Al Quoz Industrial Area, Dubai

A Green Bottle fly, Chrysomya spp. upfront

A Green Bottle fly, Chrysomya spp. resting on a leaf surface

A Green Bottle fly flying and landing on leaves

A Green Bottle fly covered with fungal spores it got from an infested leaf

The uncollected, exposed garbage bag on the street attracted the influx of bottle flies 

It was during a spot visit in a warehouse facility at the heart of the Al Quoz Industrial Area that I noticed numerous green bottle flies passing and buzzing by. Following the flight pattern of the flies, I was led to a large bag of uncollected, exposed and stinky garbage. The horde of shiny, metallic green bottle flies were landing and flying unto the garbage bag and on the leaves of an adjacent plant.    

Green Bottle Flies, Chrysomya spp, (DIPTERA: CALLIPHORIDAE)

Adult green bottle flies are metallic green in color, they bear NO stripes in their backs, with thick setae on the meron (posterior part of the proximal rim of the coxa) and a plumose (with long hair) arista. They have a pair of large red eyes and transparent, veined-wings. Adults are 10-12mm long. Adults feed on decaying matter, manure, plant sap and flowers.

The larvae (maggots) are white to yellowish in color, elongated, tapering and can reach up to 14mm. Brought about by their voracious feeding on the carcass, each maggot undertake 3 larval instar before it pupates.

Species Diversity of Chrysomya and Distribution

There are 12 species of Chrysomya reported worldwide. In the United Arab Emirates, 3 species have been reported to be present: C. albiceps, C. bezziana and C. regalis. The Old World, Screw Worm fly, C. bezziana is considered the most important myiasis associated filth fly in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Indo-Pacific Islands and in the Middle East.   

 

Biodynamic Notes

The eggs are 1mm long, white to yellowish in color. Females lay can lay an egg mass of 50-200 eggs. In come cases, the females engage in group egg oviposition which produces larges egg masses (appearing like rice balls) on animal carcasses. 

Upon hatching from its egg mass it immediately feeds on the flesh of the dead animal until it reaches the third instar stage and then it leaves the carcass and pupates. 

TOTAL DEVELOPMENT PERIOD from egg to adult can reach up to 2 weeks depending on the food and temperature. 

Upon emergence as adult flies the females can begin to oviposit eggs after 5 days. Total adult lifespan can reach up to 6 weeks. 

Due to the association with animal carcass, manure and other filthy conditions, green bottle flies are considered MEDICALLY IMPORTANT filth flies as they can carry and transmit numerous pathogens that cause diarrhea, dysentery and other gastro-intestinal diseases and also MYIASIS (= infection of a fly maggot on human tissue). 

A notable species, C. bezziana unlike the other species does not breed on carrion or excrement but is totally dependent upon living tissues for its development. The maggots attack various parts of the body but it prefers infesting the eyes, nasal cavities and head wounds (talk about the right spots)! 

The presence of Chrysomya species are of primary importance in the medico-criminal forensic entomology. Due to the well studied and documented duration of each development stage, the stage present can determine timings of death of victims.  

If there is a prevalence of bottle flies flying and buzzing indoors, this can be a sign that there is a dead bird or rat inside the premises. 

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).     

Bottle flies are included in the dreaded group of large filth flies (house flies, blow flies, flesh flies), 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 

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