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Archive 2016 · Bug crime in South Africa

  
 
Don Clary
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Bug crime in South Africa


In South Africa, we saw a number of hard working dung beetles, constructing their spherical balls of dung. Happiness for a dung beetle, is a nice, warm steaming pile of elephant poo. They roll it into a ball and transport it quite some distance, very quickly. They lay their eggs in the dung, where the larvae are protected, kept moist, and with plenty of delicious (ugh) food.





full image







same picture, with beetle magnified




Apr 23, 2016 at 01:11 PM
Don Clary
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Bug crime in South Africa


The following series shows bug crime at the microscopic level. The owner of the dung ball rolls it round, while it picks up a coating of sand. Notice that the beetle has a moist layer of dung on its back, which will identify him later.












Apr 23, 2016 at 01:12 PM
Don Clary
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Bug crime in South Africa


A thief bug approaches the dung ball and owner. Perhaps the thief was just tired and “pooped out”. Why go to the trouble and effort to make a dung ball when you can just steal one?







Apr 23, 2016 at 01:15 PM
Don Clary
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Bug crime in South Africa


A fight begins. The owner is saying, “back off, don't mess with my sh*t”. The owner get flipped onto his back. The thief happily claims the dung ball. The black specs in the background are flies.

















Edited on Apr 23, 2016 at 01:27 PM · View previous versions



Apr 23, 2016 at 01:17 PM
Don Clary
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Bug crime in South Africa


The owner get back on his feet. Notice that the owner's back is now coated with sand. He reclaims the ball and continues to fight with the thief.







Apr 23, 2016 at 01:17 PM
Don Clary
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Bug crime in South Africa


At the end, the thief has decided to “bug out”. He heads away, to find another dung ball to steal.







Apr 23, 2016 at 01:18 PM
douter
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Bug crime in South Africa


Excellent sequence Don, never thought anything would fight over a piece of...you know!
Douglas



Apr 23, 2016 at 01:27 PM
surfnron
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Bug crime in South Africa


This is a really crappy post Don. Very well done and an interesting story to boot ~ Ron


Apr 23, 2016 at 07:31 PM
morris
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Bug crime in South Africa


Well documented Don

Morris



Apr 23, 2016 at 07:40 PM
KCollett
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Bug crime in South Africa


Very neat sequence Don! Thanks for the education in dung thievery.


Apr 23, 2016 at 11:02 PM





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