This may look like a bee... but it's not.
It's a Eristalis Tenax, a fly that camouflages as a bee to ward off predators.
It's one of the most interesting insects I've seen so far.
It's one of a handful of migratory insects. When the temperatures drop, it crosses the alps towards warmer climates. During its migration, it uses wind to its advantage. It will fly low in headwind but soar high and allow itself to be carried by tailwind. Swarms have been observed at up to 2000m above sea level.
They have even been found in the Himalayas.
As cool as they are, they are also incredibly tough and even dangerous.
Researchers have found them to survive for 3 days after decapitation (not sure what kind of research purpose that served).
More importantly, their eggs and larva are able to survive human stomach acid. Consuming their eggs in contaminated foods can result in myiasis. Untreated, this can be fatal. On that note, do yourself a favor and don't do a google image search for myiasis. Just don't.
Instead, enjoy these pretty images of one of the coolest insects in Europe.
Also, as you may have noticed, I have a new camera. Yay!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdIxyMSi-MI
There is beauty everywhere. Even creatures most people consider ugly or repulsive are beautiful in their own way.
Music from the classic puzzle game "World of Goo" which I listened to while editing the footage. It fit so well and inspired me to make this video.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4ybdcSad24
Funny how it actually lifts up the dirt and leaves to look for food underneath.
Music: Sneaky Snith bs Kevin MacLeod
www.incompetech.com
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozDrUvQGFLo
Wow, video up for 1 hour and already thumbs down. How can people hate bugs that much?
So here I was, enjoying some takeout #sushi when of course some wasps arrived. Instead of being annoyed, I decided to share. Cuteness ensured. Can a #wasp be cute? Well... kind of! When you take a closer look at animals, almost all of them are cute in their own way (except ticks, botflies and tapeworms, those are nightmare fuel).
The wasps gnawed off little pieces of fish and carried them back to their hive. They were completely peaceful, and I was able to get some nice shots. Notice how their mandibles alternate from front and back when they chew through the fish.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XiGuiAXebg
Not much of a fight. The Wasp has paralyzed the spider and is carrying it to a safe location to lay her eggs inside it. The larva will then eat the paralyzes spider alive.
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https://www.paypal.me/naturevideos
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiE16nW3occ