cohan
This is for @nev: a tiny ladybug (much smaller than the usual sort I see) I think it's Hudsonian Ladybird Mulsantina hudsonica that found its way into a bucket of water I had for watering plants. I fished it out with a dandelion leaf + set it on a bench. Then I quickly switched to micro lens + returned for pics luckily it hadn't moved off yet + I got the bonus of seeing it had a rider! (not sure if the ladybug would consider that a bonus!)
#beetle #insects #Arthropods #mites #nature #Alberta
May 29 at 5:55amWeb
Show threadneville park1d ago
@cohanf ooh, how intriguing! This is one I cannot immediately identify. I also like the ladybug's markings.
Show threadcohan1d ago
@nev almost makes you wonder if it was trying to swim to get rid of the hitchhiker..lol or if the mite fell in the water separately.. Irarely see ladybugs other than the seven spotted.
Show threadneville park1d ago
@cohanf didn't strike me as one of the phoretic types. Either herbivore or predatory, I think. Was it actually clinging on the beetle?
Show threadcohan1d ago
@nev Over the course of a little over a minute that these photos were taken the mite seemed to stay in the same spot. Maybe still a bit dazed from the splash down then flying on a magic dandelion leaf...