Insect discoveries

Some of the little friends we have had the pleasure to meet recently!

 Not an insect but a smooth newt who lives in our pond.

 Rhinoceros beetle

 Bloody-nosed beetle.  If this beetle feels threatened it emits a red foul-tasting liquid from its mouth to frighten off predators.

 Cardinal beetle.

 May fly.
Mayflies usually live for just one day in this form.  They used to be known as dayflies due to their short life cycle and also because they appear at the same time as the hawthorns blooms in May.  Hawthorns are also known as mayflowers and are often used to decorate May poles.

 Damselfly

 Fascinating caddis fly larva.

 See the exquisite work of art home it builds to protects itself.  The case it creates is made of stones, shells, bark, whatever is on hand.  What is even more fascinating is that these underwater larvae spin silk which may one day be used to make adhesive tape for use medically on wounds.  See this article.