Kruger's Motley Crew

[Richprins]

Wow, Ex!

Love the queleas too, and rhino!

PLEASE tell me you remember where the roan was? Punda area?

[Pumbaa]

Incredible quelea shots, ExFmem,

love also the plovers, for sure the rhinos and even roan

[Mel]

Glad I managed to sneak in before the crawler make their appearance

Roan sighting

Your plover shots are smashing!

[ExFmem]

Sis, nan, Flutts, BC, RP, Pumbaa, and Mel THANK YOU EACH!

RP, the roan was taken on Sept. 20 en route from Oliphants to Punda Maria, at 11:54A. It was in plain sight on the right side of the road before we got close enough for a pic, but quickly crossed and headed down the embankment on the left. We drove to the nearest cutout, hoping to find it, but was quite far away as you can see in the pic. Not very specific, I know, but that's all I recall about the area.

[ExFmem]

ROBBER FLIES

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With some type of insect prey-

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[nan]

magnificent macro ... even with... too much detail for me

[ExFmem]

Ah, romance. Because insects are so numerous, a good deal of work goes into finding a suitable mate. Females can be fickle, with such a wealth of insect bachelors from which to choose. If a male stands a chance at passing on his genes, he's got to do something to stand out in the crowd. Courtship rituals in insect mating include serenades, dances, nuptial gifts, physical touch, and even aphrodisiacs.

"What about now?…"

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The evolution of courtship is a rather sophisticated form of insect behavior. In general, courtship is rare in the insect world and the few male insects that do solicit mates -- lightning bugs by flashing, crickets and grasshoppers by calling -- are well-known exceptions. The males of many robber fly species court their mates, although others that rank lower on the evolutionary totem pole do not.

"What about now?…"

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The females of some robber fly species are cannibalistic, albeit unintentionally so. "Courtship behavior seems to have evolved as a way of reducing the male's risk of being eaten by a female of his own species," Dr. Lavigne has concluded. He explained that cannibalism is almost exclusively a female trait that apparently results from a case of mistaken identity, since a hungry robber fly considers any insect smaller than itself to be potential source of sustenance.

"What about now?…"

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By courting the female before getting close enough to mate, a male with amorous intentions in effect announces that he is neither predator nor prey but merely interested in propagating the species.

Often, female robber flies play hard to get, while the male ferociously vibrates his wings and elevates his body. This allows the female to recognize that (a) they are the right species, and (b) that they are of the opposite sex.

"Okay, Okay…can we at least hold hands?"

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Lastly, (thank heavens) -

Death feigning is exceptional in the context of sexual selection. We are aware of one example of this performed by female robber flies to avoid male harassment.

(Women will recognize this as the old "pretend you're asleep trick".)

*******
http://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/04/healt ... wanted=all
********

[nan]

how interesting.... about "what about now"

[Flutterby]

Amazing pics Ex!!

[Mel]

Incredible how the eye colour of the male robber fly changes in each pic

Stunning photos! I must say, that you make the crawlies look quite pretty, Ex