myrmepropagandist

We interrupt your regular scrolling for this important video of Charidotella sexpunctata the ruby gold tortoise beetle.

Look at how this little creature places it's little feets* with such care. I wonder if, like ants, they have little sticky pads that must be activated and deactivated for traction?

The video is by Andreas Kay who does excellent macrophotography.

*I know "feet" is plural for foot, but if the foot is very cute the proper term is "feets" or "footies"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB5y3wo3UkM

Ruby Gold Tortoise Beetle walking and taking off in Slow Motion

YouTube
Oct 28, 2023 at 2:11pmWeb
Show threadmyrmepropagandistOct 28, 2023

One more important video:

(Stolas coalita is from the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0frLwGiZwVQ

Tortoise Beetle taking off in Slow Motion

YouTube
Show threadCarolannieOct 28, 2023
@futurebird VTOL!
Show threadraymoo the HomoGaymooOct 28, 2023
@futurebird that creature is adorable
the channel seems to have a lot of excellent footage
Show threadRob Vincent (OLD ACCOUNT)Oct 28, 2023

@futurebird This is an amazing video, thanks for sharing it!

I also appreciate that this person didn't stick the awful stock music over the clip which a lot of folks on YouTube favor.

Show threadGerty SteinblattOct 28, 2023

@Rob_T_Firefly @futurebird
Same.
That magical footage with no distractions from the starring players is perfect just as it is.

The way all their itty legs fling out to the side on takeoff like "Wheee!", reminds me of 4 year old humans in a bouncy castle. <3

Show threadBarry GoldmanOct 28, 2023
@futurebird i grew up with tortoise beetles of various sorts. funny little critters.
Show threadAnne Fausto SterlingOct 28, 2023
@futurebird love this. Love those feet’s.
Show threadPeter Drake HAS MOVEDOct 28, 2023

@futurebird "sexpunctada"?

At one point in college, we were handing out "sex points" for clever witticisms. It was never made clear how they should be redeemed. At one point someone lamented, "I have no sex points! I am sexually pointless!"

Show threadJohn McChesney-YoungOct 28, 2023
@futurebird The way it lifts two of its feets right before taking off reminds me of sticking out your pinky when drinking tea.
Show threadrun_atalanta -> beige.partyOct 28, 2023
@futurebird I love how when it takes off the legs hang out instead of being pulled in. A tiny beetle “Wheeeeee, I’m FLYING”
Show threadenscoosneOct 28, 2023
@futurebird My family has used this rule for many years: '*I know "feet" is plural for foot, but if the foot is very cute the proper term is "feets" or "footies".'
Show threadVirginicusOct 28, 2023
@futurebird That beetle was obviously drawn by George Herriman.
Show threadGerty SteinblattOct 28, 2023

@futurebird
Karate Kid: Extended Beetle Remix

Track 1: Crane Pose
Track 2: Pacing Gait: Camel+2-style

Show threaddasgrueneblattOct 28, 2023

@futurebird Thank you do much! It really was the most important video I saw today. 💚

It looks a bit confused itself sometimes about what to do with so many feets?

Show threadmyrmepropagandistOct 28, 2023

@dasgrueneblatt

I get confused with just two. It's understandable.

Show threadLikely Jan LukasOct 28, 2023

@futurebird

Lovely! The one thing that might enhance this would be narration of the pilot's takeoff checklist. 😛

Show threadJoe Hill 🇵🇸🇺🇦Oct 28, 2023
@futurebird Check out its rear legs on takeoff at :27. If that’s not a “Weeee” posture I don’t know what is. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Show threadA Vernal PoolNov 2, 2023
@futurebird I love the pace: front and back on one side, middle on the other and then vice versa, so that there is a tripod at all times.