Insect or Invertebrates Identification - DONE

[Lisbeth]

to both

[Klipspringer]

Now to these wasps:

viewtopic.php?p=400362#p400362






This beauty captured by ExFmem is a Episyron sp.

Note the pubescens!

The genus is immediately distinguishable from all other spider wasps by the presence of specialized, appressed, scalelike
pubescence on the first metasod tergum, the thorax and propodeum.

https://bugguide.net/node/view/27753

Identification
This genus belongs to the subfamily Pompilinae, tribe Pompilini and is identified by the following characters:
Spines at apex of hind tibia of unequal length and spacing.
Hind tibia always smooth in nearctic species.
Dorsal side of hind femur with at least a few spine pits.
Pocket in the basioposterior corner of the third discal cell.
Labrum at least partially concealed.
Females of this genus possess a tarsal comb.

This genus is identified by the following characters:
Postnotum expanded laterally at the spiracles.
Anal vein of posterior wing meeting the medial vein beynd the origin of the cubitus.
Possess a row of spines on the apical tarsal segments.
Possess an appressed, scale-like pubescence on the thorax, propodeum, and first tergite.
Some are marked with white on the abdomen.

Quite a few species recorded, and I don't find any key for species ID
http://www.waspweb.org/Vespoidea/Pompil ... /index.htm

[Lisbeth]

It is made up of so many different pieces when you see it big like this

[Klipspringer]

Imfolozi

A beautiful leaf beetle

Leucastea sp, family Megalopodidae


Leucastea:
Medium (about 5-10 mm), oblong, yellow or red and black leaf beetles . Punctured with coarse hair. Head exserted, constricted behind the protuberant eyes, the latter with the emarginate portion smooth. The antennae are thin, about as long as the head + pronotum. Pronotum is wider than long, rounded. The legs are quite short and strong, strongly pubescent, the femora unarmed.

Many species recorded from South Africa.
Larvae in the subfamily Megalopodinae typically bore inside of plant stems. Adults feed on herbs or small shrubs; they cut off the tips of succulent shoots and feed on the sap.
Males and females produce a chrirping stridulation sound with mesoscuto-pronotal stridulatory devices. The function of the stridulatory device may be in disturbing predators.

Links:
https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... stribution
https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucastea

[ExFmem]

on both of the above IDs.

If there's a stronger word than , it certainly can be used here, Ms. Bug Detective Extraordinaire

[Klipspringer]

Which dung beetle?


KTP

ExFmem

Is this taken at night?

Some info about a sighting really helps, there are nocturnal, diurnal and crepuscular dung beetles

[ExFmem]

Will have to find the pic and see the exif info./or what else was taken at the same time. Can do.

Can you remind me when/where I posted this, so I can go back to that year's DVD photo storage, please? If not, I'll search all my post-trip books and find it.

for all your intensive efforts.

[Klipspringer]

It's from this ID topic posted in 2014

viewtopic.php?p=192000#p192000

It looks like a nighttime shot to me Maybe you found it during one of your camp session for nocturnal creatures?

[ExFmem]

Makes it much easier for me. You're a real treasure here!

[ExFmem]

Yes, it was taken at night (3:30 PM USA time = 9:30 PM SA). Also took geckos at that time, obviously night shots. Thank you!