Ranch Manager Harold Out in the Field

The larval mite on this harvestman’s leg will continue engorging on host fluids until it falls off and pupates in the soil. It will then emerge as a purplish predatory mite with white stripes, then pupate again, and finally emerge as an adult that roams forest litter for prey Female tiny parasitic wasp (Eupelmidae) with…

Scuttle flies are likely among the most ecologically diverse families of all arthropods. The diversity of habits is staggering. Although some scuttle flies specialize on ants, even killing them in interesting ways, these individuals are likely just seeking to snack on an already-dead ant, before scuttling on their way Female tiny parasitic wasp (Eupelmidae) with…

Salt is actually a rare resource in most of nature. Many insects, such as this flower fly, are acquire salt primarily from vertebrate bodies, such as urine, sweat, or tears. Here, this fly is lapping sweat from the arm of an entomologist who appreciates its beauty. Female tiny parasitic wasp (Eupelmidae) with an interesting jumping…

These attractive metallic flies are commonly seen on leaftops, hunting for smaller insects. They are lively creatures and some species have elaborate mating dances. Female tiny parasitic wasp (Eupelmidae) with an interesting jumping mechanism crawling over tree bark-likely Anastatus hunting for stink bug eggs to lay its own eggs into Flies attracted to dead longhorn…