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Archive 2014 · Macro from the Philippines

  
 
bladesofgrass
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Macro from the Philippines


Blue Polyrhachis cyaniventris ant:



Wrestling harvestmen:



Crab spider on Hoya flowers:



Hairy grasshopper:



Ant with Cordyceps fungus:

Cordyceps is an interesting entomopathogenic fungus (a fancy way of saying a fungus that parasitizes and kills insects/spiders). Each Cordyceps is species specific and is something pretty horrifying. The spores will land on an insect and gradually the fungal mycelia will grow down past the insects exoskeleton and into the body where they will spread like tree roots, invading and replacing host tissue. This kills the insect in a very slow, lengthy process. In the final stages, the fungus takes the neurological reins and modifies the insect’s behaviour so as best to befit itself. In ants it will cause them to climb to a high perch and bite down on a leaf or stem with a death grip. The ant will slowly die, perhaps from starvation, perhaps from the deterioration of its body, but after some time there might be seen movement. To be sure it is extremely slow and small but it is there. If sped up, it would look like a worm wriggling out of the body. And this isn’t far from the truth. It is the fruiting body of the cordyceps fungus. Which grows a stalk several inches long, terminating in asci or sacs containing the spores that will lead to a new round of infectious dissemination. Why go to all this trouble to cause the ant to climb to a high perch? Well, the jungle is very humid with rain falling often and in large quantities. Ants being principally ground dwellers, it wouldn’t do to have the ants and fungus along with them washed away, covered in mud or stuck together. Additionally, just like climbing to the top of a mountain will afford a better view of the surroundings, so too will climbing to the top of a plant or bush in a jungle microenvironment. From here, the fungus is free to be blown in all directions by the slightest current of wind, the spores, like insidious grains of pollen, waiting to be planted in the fertile backs of their hosts.



Thanks for looking and commenting,
Paul



Aug 16, 2014 at 12:32 AM
monday
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Macro from the Philippines


Like the first one great work!


Aug 16, 2014 at 12:34 AM
douter
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Macro from the Philippines


The colors and background really set the first one off foe me. Good set!
Douglas



Aug 16, 2014 at 08:06 AM
surfnron
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Macro from the Philippines


A very nice set Paul. 1 is the clear winner, but 2 and 4 also stand out ~ Ron


Aug 16, 2014 at 08:16 AM
KCollett
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Macro from the Philippines


Your usual excellent work is on display here again Paul. Lovely stuff, and the detailed explanation of the fungus action is quite interesting.


Aug 16, 2014 at 08:43 AM
birdied
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Macro from the Philippines


Beautiful and informative .

Birdie



Aug 16, 2014 at 10:51 AM
morris
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Macro from the Philippines


The first and the last 2 are beauties Paul

Morris



Aug 16, 2014 at 12:21 PM
bladesofgrass
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Macro from the Philippines


Thanks for the comments all, they are very much appreciated!


Aug 16, 2014 at 10:08 PM
songoku1981
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Macro from the Philippines


excellent set up.


Aug 16, 2014 at 10:16 PM
kmunroe
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Macro from the Philippines


it's a great set Paul


Aug 17, 2014 at 05:06 AM
bladesofgrass
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Macro from the Philippines


Thanks Kmunroe and songoku1981, appreciated!



Aug 18, 2014 at 05:36 AM
bs kite
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Macro from the Philippines


Spectacular life forms in the Philippines. I hope they take better care of it.

Macabre life-history of that plant.

Robert
www.itsaboutnature.net



Aug 18, 2014 at 07:13 AM
Michael Rucci
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Macro from the Philippines


Very nice set of creepy crawlers Paul.I love the info on that killer fungus Can you imagine if the human race were infected?Sounds like a sci-fi movie plot


Aug 18, 2014 at 07:19 AM
teked
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Macro from the Philippines


Your images are always amazing to view, Paul. Thanks for the great narrative on the cordyceps fungus. Extremely interesting. Nature is truly complex, and marvelous to witness.

Ed



Aug 18, 2014 at 02:00 PM
bladesofgrass
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Macro from the Philippines


Thanks bs kite, Michael and Ed, always appreciated.


Aug 19, 2014 at 05:26 PM
waldr_p
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Macro from the Philippines


These are great, no.1 is my pick.

Paul.



Aug 20, 2014 at 12:02 AM
Jessika Englan
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Macro from the Philippines


bladesofgrass wrote:
Blue Polyrhachis cyaniventris ant:

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2853/12845748385_2226ae3713_b.jpg

Wrestling harvestmen:

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5554/14900213626_929650ca66_b.jpg

Crab spider on Hoya flowers:

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5566/14735451628_901553dffb_b.jpg

Hairy grasshopper:

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5576/14672238114_590633764f_b.jpg

Ant with Cordyceps fungus:

Cordyceps is an interesting entomopathogenic fungus (a fancy way of saying a fungus that parasitizes and kills insects/spiders). Each Cordyceps is species specific and is something pretty horrifying. The spores will land on an insect and gradually the fungal mycelia will grow down past the insects exoskeleton and into the body where they will spread like tree roots, invading and replacing host tissue. This kills the insect in a very slow, lengthy process. In the final stages, the fungus takes the neurological reins and modifies the insect’s behaviour
...Show more

I had to tell you how absolutely amazing this fungus is truly a horror that I could learn and watch for a lifetime. I hope you do more shots on Cordyceps fungus, I wanted to be a marine biologist but after great thought decided to go into the engineering field so I find great pleasure in the world little scary secrets. Truly amazing work



Jan 27, 2015 at 02:33 PM
DonGut
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Macro from the Philippines


That blue ant is superb, and that fungus ball ant is a killer shot!
Wow. Now I'll have nightmares!!!!
Don



Jan 27, 2015 at 02:50 PM
surfnron
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Macro from the Philippines


A super set Paul. All are very well done with 1 and 4 standing out.
That fungus must be the stuff of ant horror movies...

I always enjoy your posts - keep them coming ~ Ron



Jan 27, 2015 at 04:28 PM





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