Re: Insect ID needed.

Karin Mitton · Unread post by **Karin Mitton** » Sat Dec 18, 2021 1:59 pm

Please assist with ID - both found in Skukuza.

ross hawkins · Unread post by **ross hawkins** » Thu Dec 23, 2021 7:37 am

Difficult to say exactly which species but the spider can be put into the Orb weavers and the beetle is a species of Long horn beetle which seems to be mimicking the group of insects called Net-winged Beetles

PAPA SMURF · Unread post by **PAPA SMURF** » Sun May 12, 2024 12:37 am

Hi there
I need help with this insect please.

it seems to have the body of the carpenter bee, but those colored wings and the feelers are all wrong. I am now even
now wondering if it is from the bee family?
All help would be appreciated.
Photo taken in January at the entrance gate of MZNP

ross hawkins · Unread post by **ross hawkins** » Sun May 12, 2024 9:02 pm

A species of Bee-fly
Family Bombyliidae

PAPA SMURF · Unread post by **PAPA SMURF** » Sun May 12, 2024 11:27 pm

Many thanks Ross

Marj Atkins · Unread post by **Marj Atkins** » Tue May 14, 2024 7:07 pm

ross hawkins wrote: ↑Sun May 12, 2024 9:02 pm A species of Bee-fly
Family Bombyliidae

Exoprosopa capucina to be exact.

PAPA SMURF · Unread post by **PAPA SMURF** » Tue May 14, 2024 11:07 pm

Many thanks for this further information Marj Atkins

PAPA SMURF · Unread post by **PAPA SMURF** » Sun Jul 14, 2024 12:52 am

Hi there
I am looking for assistance in IDing this spider, photo taken in MZNP in Jan this year.
My feeling it is the Black-lobed Garden orb-web spider (Argiope lobata)
I say this because of the amount of black on the body and the number of bands on the legs. One of the worrying things is that in my reference book there is no mention of stabilimentum in the web whereas there was defiantly one in the photo
many thanks
Cheers Terry

Marj Atkins · Unread post by **Marj Atkins** » Wed Jul 17, 2024 12:19 pm

Hi Terry,

Agree Argiope lobata - female.

(Stabilimenta are a characteristic feature of all Orb-web spiders' webs.)

Nice photo.

BTW Interesting fact - Stabilimenta reflect UV light, like scorpions, so it is useful to have a little UV torch handy at nighttime to avoid such things. I bought each of my kids one of these torches for use around the campfire.

PAPA SMURF · Unread post by **PAPA SMURF** » Wed Jul 17, 2024 11:47 pm

Hi Marj
Many thanks for confirming the id and the other useful information

Cheers Terry

PAPA SMURF · Unread post by **PAPA SMURF** » Fri Jul 19, 2024 12:23 am

Hi there
This time it is a Wasp ID that is needed please as well as the scientific name please.
The photos are also from the MZNP trip in January this year and so far i am nowhere in IDing it from my reference books

Many thanks
Terry

PAPA SMURF · Unread post by **PAPA SMURF** » Mon Aug 12, 2024 11:11 pm

Hi there
It looks as if the wasp above is an unknown to all of us

Lets see if i will have better luck with the ID of this spider.
The photo was taken in Jan this year in the shrubs next to the bungalow. The bottom of the web was about 20cm from the ground, and it was in such a position that i could only photograph it from its underside. the body is similar to that of a Green Lynx spider but not quite as sharp

Thanks
Cheers Terry

ross hawkins · Unread post by **ross hawkins** » Tue Aug 13, 2024 6:03 am

Possibly a Red-legged Golden Orb Spider

Karin Mitton · Unread post by **Karin Mitton** » Thu Aug 15, 2024 3:25 pm

Definitely a Trichonephila species. Yours is probably an immature spider.

I have previously had a similar looking spider confirmed by a member of the spider club as this one -

Karin Mitton · Unread post by **Karin Mitton** » Thu Aug 15, 2024 4:23 pm

PAPA SMURF wrote: ↑Mon Aug 12, 2024 11:11 pm It looks as if the wasp above is an unknown to all of us

I think there are just too many wasps to identify. I have looked for resources, but have not found anything that has sufficient info, I have the insect book, but obviously it only contains a few families. It does however have this one that looks like your photo?