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thegrandimago · 1 year

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Taken 2022 12th September, this was a common wasp (Vespula vulgaris), or vanlig geting, male that was rescued from the public bus. In Sweden, they occur wherever there are forest environments, but will also live in urban areas. Males, like this one, are unable to sting since they lack an ovipositor, which is why I can hold it without concern. The males can be seen from late August to a small bit of October, searching for a the newly hatched queens that come out during this period to mate then die. #animal #animals #djur #wildlife #insect #insects #naturliv #natur #fauna #arthropod #arthropods #insekt #insekter #invertebrate #invertebrates #yellowjacket #yellowjackets #wasp #wasps #långtungebin #insectagram #animalia #arthropoda #insecta #hymenoptera #vespidae #vespula #vespulavulgaris #commonwasp #vanliggeting (at Flogsta) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnsdeJ-qL3g/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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thegrandimago · 1 year

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Taken 2022 10th September, this was a kite-tailed robberfly (Tolmerus atricapillus), possibly female. In Sweden, they occur wherever there is open habitats or woodland edges. They're active hunters often seen during the summer. Name comes from the tip of their abdomen looking like the end of a kite. #animal #animals #djur #natur #naturliv #nature #insect #insects #fauna #insekter #insekt #robberfly #robberflies #tvåvingar #rovflugor #rovfluga #insectagram #wildlife #arthropods #arthropod #invertebrate #invertebrates #animalia #arthropoda #insecta #diptera #asilidae #tolmerus #tolmerusatricapillus #kitetailedrobberfly (at Erkenlaboratoriet) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnrnhXaoA6z/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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thegrandimago · 1 year

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Taken the same day as the previous post, this was a white-lipped snail (Cepaea hortensis), or trädgårdssnäcka, found during during a survey for my class project, but was more inclined to show itself. In Sweden, they occur throughout central and southern Sweden wherever grasslands, woodland, dunes, and gardens with enough moisture are present. It's diet consists of, nettles, ragwort, and hogweed. To mate, they make use of a gypsobelum #animal #animals #djur #wildlife #naturliv #invertebrate #invertebrates #snail #snails #landsnails #landsnail #blötdjur #storsnäckor #mollusks #mollusk #snäckor #snäcka #animalia #mollusca #gastropoda #gastropod #gastropods #stylommatophora #helicidae #cepaea #cepaeahortensis #whitelippedsnail #gardenbandedsnail #trädgårdssnäcka (at Erkenlaboratoriet) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnriTGMIDzM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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thegrandimago · 1 year

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Taken 2022 8th September, this was a copse snail (Arianta arbustorum), or fläcklundsnäcka, found during during a survey for my class project and was hiding for obvious reasons. In Sweden, they occur from Skåne to Torne Lappmark wherever there are forests and open habitats with enough moisture. It's diet consists of leafy greens, organic matter, feces, carrion, and fungi. To mate, they make use of a gypsobelum #animal #animals #djur #wildlife #naturliv #invertebrate #invertebrates #snail #snails #landsnails #landsnail #lovedarts #blötdjur #storsnäckor #mollusks #mollusk #snäckor #snäcka #animalia #mollusca #gastropoda #gastropod #gastropods #stylommatophora #helicidae #arianta #ariantaarbustorum #copsesnail #fläcklundsnäcka (at Erkenlaboratoriet) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnna2_nKpur/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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thegrandimago · 1 year

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Taken 2022 6th September, this was a grass snake (Natrix natrix), or snok, snakelet and yes that's the official term for a baby snake. This one was able to be hatch this far north with with the help of manure piles and compost heaps providing enough warmth to the eggs. It's also important to remember these serpents are protected under Swedish law. #animal #animals #djur #wildlife #naturliv #natur #nature #snakelet #babysnake #babysnakes #ormar #orm #snek #sneks #reptiles #reptile #snakes #snake #serpent #serpents #animalia #chordata #reptilia #squamata #serpentes #colubridae #natrix #natrixnatrix #grasssnake #snok (at Norra Malma Naturreservat) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnhvwe4qtRt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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thegrandimago · 1 year

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Taken the same day as the previous post, this was common toad (Bufo bufo), or vanlig padda, toadlet found in front our lodge. It was likely trying to find shelter from the daytime hours, so I took it to the woodlands. It will 3-7 years before this one matures. #animal #animals #djur #wildlife #nature #natur #naturliv #toad #toads #toadlets #toadlet #stjärtlösagroddjur #groddjur #ryggradsdjur #paddor #padda #amphibian #amphibians #vertebrate #vertebrates #animalia #chordata #amphibia #anura #bufonidae #bufo #bufobufo #europeantoad #commontoad #vanligpadda (at Erkenlaboratoriet) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnhqmslKTo6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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thegrandimago · 1 year

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Taken the same day as the previous post, this was a firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus), or eldus. In Sweden, it occurs from Skåne up to Dalarna in association with linden and mallow trees. They feed primarily on the seeds from the previously mentioned trees and are found in aggregations on trunks of said trees depending on which side is sunny. Mating occurs April-May, which can last from 12 hours to 7 days with these long periods thought to be done by the male as a means of ejaculate-guarding against other males. Eggs are then laid in packages in intervals of 2 to 5 days. Eggs hatch in 10-14 in 18-20°C temperatures, but can be as early as 6-8 days in a warm and dry season, while under lower temperatures this can last until 24 days. Once hatched, it takes 2-3 months to develop into adults so long as the temperature is 15°C or higher. During winter, they shelter in aggregations within leaf litter around their tree trunks or in bark fissures. Under a protective snow cover, they can survive temperatures as low as -20°C. #animal #animals #djur #wildlife #insect #insects #naturliv #natur #fauna #arthropod #arthropods #insekt #insekter #invertebrate #bugs #invertebrates #truebug #redbug #redbugs #halvvingar #insectagram #animalia #arthropoda #insecta #hemiptera #pyrrhocoridae #pyrrhocoris #pyrrhocorisapterus #firebug #eldus (at Erkenlaboratoriet) https://www.instagram.com/p/CncWpigu_Bz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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thegrandimago · 1 year

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Taken 2022 5th September, this was a moor frog (Rana arvalis), or åkergroda, beyond the preservation jar. In Sweden, they occur wherever moist forest areas are available. They start spawning between March-June in stagnant pools free of fish starting at dusk. During this period, males will have breeding choruses and at the height of the spawning season, the male temporarily turn blue. Females will have multimale amplexus, releasing as many as 1000-2000 eggs that sink to the bottom. These eggs will hatch in three weeks and the larvae will fully morphed. Eventually, they hibernate from September–October to April in water. They're able to do so due to having cryoprotectants that allow them to survive freezing solid and thawing out. #animal #animals #djur #wildlife #naturliv #nature #natur #frog #frogs #groda #grodor #amphibian #amphibians #fauna #froggy #stjärtlösagroddjur #amfibier #äktagrodor #groddjur #vertebrate #vertebrates #animalia #chordata #amphibia #anura #ranidae #rana #ranaarvalis #moorfrog #åkergroda https://www.instagram.com/p/CnSWrZ0KyXI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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thegrandimago · 1 year

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Taken 2022 31st August, this was a European alder spittle bug (Aphrophora alni) I found on the bus. In Sweden, they occur wherever forest edges, hedgerows, meadows, gardens, and parks are present. Contrary to their name, these spittle bugs don't only feed from alder trees as bushes and trees of different species are also taken, with adults prefer deciduous trees while larvae prefer herbaceous plants. They can be seen from May-October, with their life-cycle beginning in spring hatching from eggs laid close to winter. The nymphs live on the stems and leaves of herbaceous plants protected from exposure by a foam made from plant sap until they've reached their imago stage. Eventually, females will mate and will deposit her eggs on herbaceous plants close to winter, where they overwinter until the following spring starting the cycle over. #animal #animals #djur #natur #naturliv #wildlife #insect #insects #insekt #insekter #nature #spittlebug #spittlebugs #bugs #bug #arthropod #arthropods #invertebrate #invertebrates #truebug #truebugs #insectagram #animalia #arthropoda #insecta #hemiptera #aphrophoridae #aphrophora #aphrophoraalni #europeanalderspittlebug https://www.instagram.com/p/CnSQ_p7Kw_T/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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thegrandimago · 1 year

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Taken 2022 15th August, upon returning to Sweden, I didn't know if I could actually sneak up on a dragonfly, like this male ruddy darter (Sympetrum sanguineum), or blodröd ängstrollslända, by the Fyris River. In Sweden, they occur from Skåne to Gästrikland where ever still waterbodies with plenty of semi-aquatic vegetation. They can be seen flying during July-October. Mating takes place on the wing and pairs perform a dipping flight over the water as the female jettisons her eggs at the water surface by alternating movements of the abdomen. The male hovers nearby during this period and protect the female by driving off any approaching males. Once hatched, naiads spend a year being aquatic before emerging into adults. #animal #animals #djur #natur #naturliv #wildlife #insect #insects #insekt #insekter #insectagram #nature #fauna #invertebrate #invertebrates #dragonfly #dragonflies #trollsländor #trollslända #animalia #arthropod #arthropods #arthropoda #insecta #odonata #libellulidae #sympetrum #sympetrumsanguineum #ruddydarter #blodrödängstrollslända (at Fyrisån) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmcZSCCvIGd/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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thegrandimago · 1 year

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Taken 2022 6th August, this was a DeKay's brown snake (Storeria dekayi) juvenile I originally found on the sidewalk. They occur from the eastern half of North America to Honduras hiding under cover such as logs or leaf litter, but can sometimes be found in the open at night. They feed exlusively on soft-bodied invertebrates such as earthworms or slugs. As soon as they reach sexual maturity after 2-3 years, they will mate once they wake up from brumation in spring. After which, the females will give live birth to 3-41 young by late summer. The name comes from American zoologist James Ellsworth De Kay, who described it. #animal #animals #wildlife #texaswildlife #texasnature #nature #texassnakes #txnature #txwildlife #reptiles #reptile #texasreptiles #snakes #snake #colubrids #serpent #serpents #brownsnakes #brownsnake #fauna #animalia #chordata #reptilia #squamata #serpentes #colubridae #storeria #storeriadekayi #dekaysbrownsnake (at Coppell, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmUyuAxvxJY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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thegrandimago · 1 year

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Taken the same day as the previous post, this was Amaru, a corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) who was a retired animal ambassador that was over 20 years old when this photo was taken. Sadly, she had to be euthanized this year due to age related complications. #animal #animals #wildlife #texaswildlife #texasnature #nature #texassnakes #txnature #txwildlife #reptiles #reptile #texasreptiles #snakes #snake #colubrid #colubrids #serpent #serpents #ratsnake #ratsnake #fauna #animalia #chordata #reptilia #squamata #serpentes #colubridae #pantherophis #pantherophisguttatus #cornsnake (at Austin Nature & Science Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl9qjv-KMQg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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thegrandimago · 1 year

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Taken the same day as the previous post, this was Copper, a Gulf coast toad (Incilius nebulifer) that was found rescued from one of the raptor cages and is now an animal ambassador. #animal #animals #wildlife #nature #texaswildlife #texasnature #toad #toads #truetoad #truetoads #warty #warts #amphibian #amphibians #herps #texasherps #frogsandtoads #texasamphibians #vertebrate #vertebrates #animalia #chordata #amphibia #anura #bufonidae #incilius #inciliusnebulifer #gulfcoasttoad #gulfcoasttoads #coastalplainstoad (at Austin Nature & Science Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl7LOnuqnSx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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thegrandimago · 1 year

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Taken the same day as the previous post, this was an American pistachio (Pistacia mexicana). They occur in isolated patches throughout southern Texas, northeastern Mexico, down to Guatemala and Honduras within limestone cliffs or ravine edges. Blooming lasts from spring to late summer, with clusters of small, white flowers are that become clusters of red drupes on females, as shown here (note this one isn't red as it's dried), while the leaves change red in the spring before becoming dark-green later in the season. Note that while they're closely related to the common pistachio of western Asia, their seeds are too small, and often empty, to be edible. Sadly, they are near threatened due to habitat loss. #plant #plants #tree #trees #wildflowers #wildflower #texasplants #texasplant #txplants #txnature #shrub #shrubs #pistachio #pistachios #texasnativeplants #texasnature #nature #flora #plantae #angiosperms #vascularplant #tracheophyta #asterids #eudicots #sapindales #anacardiaceae #pistacia #pistaciamexicana #americanpistachio (at Austin Nature & Science Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClKStEFKfuO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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thegrandimago · 1 year

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Taken the same day as the previous post, this was a black-footed oil digger bee (Centris atripes) feeding from pyramidflowers. They're native range extends from the southwestern US to Central America wherever floral oil producing plants, such as pigeon berry or esparanza, grow. Like other bees in this genus, females have front and middle legs containing setae that form pads and cones meant to collect oils from host plants that are transported to the corbiculae. The females then modify the mixture of oil and pollen to line it in their nesting chambers. Males will search for these nesting chambers in hopes to find a mate. #animal #animals #wildlife #texaswildlife #txwildlife #nature #texasbees #texasnature #invertebrate #invertebrates #fauna #imago #texasinsects #insect #insects #insectagram #bee #bees #oildiggers #oildigger #animalia #arthropod #arthropods #arthropoda #insecta #hemiptera #apidae #centris #centrisnitida #blackfootedoildiggerbee (at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkuCwwdKT1R/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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thegrandimago · 1 year

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Taken the same day as the previous post, these are southern swamp crinum (Crinum americanum). They're native to North America from Texas to South Carolina, into Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands wherever there's still water bodies. They bloom from summer to autumn with fragrant white flowers and pink to red stamens as shown. Afterwards, they produce seed capsules containing large fleshy seeds. #plant #plants #flower #flowers #wildflowers #wildflower #texasplants #texasplant #txplants #txnature #crinumlily #crinumlilies #amaryllids #amaryllid #texasnativeplants #texasnature #nature #flora #plantae #angiosperms #vascularplant #tracheophyta #monocot #asparagales #amaryllidaceae #amaryllidoideae #crinum #crinumamericanum #southernswampcrinum (at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkoUa92qMkQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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thegrandimago · 1 year

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Taken the same day as the previous post, this is a Scheer's fish-hook cactus (Sclerocactus scheeri). They are native to southern Texas and northern Mexico within the Tamaulipan scrub community in drip line desert shrubs, grassy plains, open low hills, and brushy grassland. Flowers bloom within February-March that are green with a yellowish tint. Eventually, they produce pinkish-green elongated, egg-shaped fruits. #plant #plants #flower #flowers #wildflowers #wildflower #texasplants #texasplant #txplants #txnature #succulents #succulent #texasnativeplants #cactus #cacti #flora #texasnature #nature #plantae #angiosperms #vascularplant #tracheophyta #liliopsida #dicots #caryophyllales #cactaceae #sclerocactus #sclerocactusscheeri #fishhookcactus #rootcactus (at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkoFZvHqxaA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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