Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: mysecretbush on 30/12/2009 03:23:59

Title: Picture of Mysterious Insects from the Peruvian Amazon
Post by: mysecretbush on 30/12/2009 03:23:59

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg192.imageshack.us%2Fimg192%2F4086%2Fimg0848g.jpg&hash=9259802bd255a15183757a0c8c54e801)


This is one of the most mind-boggling things I've ever witnessed.  In the months since I've returned from Peru, I have tried again and again to figure out what in the world these insects (and the insane fungus-like antennae) are.  I even took the photos (and a short video of them) to a professor who studies insects and their behavior, and she had no clue.

The fungus-like protrusions moved independently, and reacted when I moved quickly near them or made a loud noise.  There appears to be some sort of bead of fluid at the point where the two protrusions connect to the insects' heads. 

If anyone has any idea what these things are or could point me in some direction... I'm willing to do research to figure this out! I just have no idea where to start! I hope this interests you as much as it interests me....  Thanks!

Title: Picture of Mysterious Insects from the Peruvian Amazon
Post by: Don_1 on 30/12/2009 13:12:41

Strange indeed. Do you have a clears close-up of an individual?

Title: Picture of Mysterious Insects from the Peruvian Amazon
Post by: mysecretbush on 30/12/2009 15:50:12

Sadly, I do not.  This was about as close as I could get while keeping the picture sharp, what with their movement and my lack of a fantastic camera.  But if you think it would help, I could find a way to send you the actual photo so you can zoom in on it?

Title: Picture of Mysterious Insects from the Peruvian Amazon
Post by: RD on 30/12/2009 20:48:12

Quote from: Don_1 on 30/12/2009 13:12:41

... a clears close-up of an individual

Quote from: mysecretbush on 30/12/2009 15:50:12

... zoom in on it

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Ask What’s That Bug?

Do you have a bug you need identified? Do you want to submit an interesting photo of a bug? The more information you can give us, the better your chances of getting your bug identified. Season? Geographic location? Picture(s) should be as clear and well lit as possible.
We generally cannot identify a bug without a photo!

http://www.whatsthatbug.com/ask-whats-that-bug/

Title: Picture of Mysterious Insects from the Peruvian Amazon
Post by: RD on 31/12/2009 13:54:27

The spiral “antennae” don’t look quite like any here, (possibly "plumose" if it can occur in a helical pattern) …

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Insect_antennae.svg


Perhaps the helical structures are tails, (and the droplet is excreted by the bug from the tail end).

What’s that bug (http://www.whatsthatbug.com/ask-whats-that-bug/) is the place to go: you could send them the original image and my enlargement (close-up).

Title: Picture of Mysterious Insects from the Peruvian Amazon
Post by: mysecretbush on 31/12/2009 18:19:45

Thanks for the close-up, and the link!  And the more I'm thinking about it, I remember that it seemed like those white antennae-like things were also growing from the bottoms of most of the leaves on the plant that was covered by these insects....  I don't know if that complicates things or clarifies....

Title: Picture of Mysterious Insects from the Peruvian Amazon
Post by: Nizzle on 07/01/2010 13:46:45

I think the antennae are in fact fungus colonies of the "Cordyceps" species.