I can not say how many spiders came out whilst I was hosing the garden down. A tube web spider (Segestria florentina I believe) literally stayed out to be basically directly hosed. It was on a mist setting, but even that is quite strong for them.

I changed to a hand-held spray to be more prepared for cracks and it was like a spider party! One little drop of it and they'd run out, staying on the webs that got wet. Even a moth was happy to be misted, butterflies, flies and bees appearing when it was sprayed in the air. Unfortunately there was a dead bee completely dried up, and I know there are plenty of others that will be suffering as well.

Make sure not only you and your pets are hydrated, but all animals outside! It's a very nice feeling to know you've given them a drink and/or a bath (my wild pigeons have been swimming for days, haha).

Picture: One of the little zebras I met outside who got misted!

Very naughty beetles…

A bonus catch when looking for dune tiger beetles in the Nedre Mjällådalen nature reserve near Härnösand, Sweden, was this male woodland jumping spider (Evarcha falcata) with its emerald green eyes which helpfully jumped onto a twig which was lying in the sand.

I only managed a couple of shots (this one is at 2:1 mag) before he decided to teleport away out of sight like they do.

For details on camera/lens/settings used for the shot plus exact location (down to a couple of meters), please have a look here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/55409226938/

Sorry for the poor camera quality lol

He was a thirsty boi and I put him outside so he wouldn’t starve

Source

Photographer’s Instagram page (flynn_prall) for more peacock jumpers and other inverts

So I've been blessed with having a Wild Chinese mantis living rent free on my bedroom window for over a week now! It's fun to watch her antics like climbing the glass or just casually resting up avoiding the heat. What should I call her/him?

This beetle wandered into my room randomly and I helped it by putting it in another room so he won’t hurt my spood.

He's kinda cute!

The scientific name of the Carolina mantleslug is Philomycus carolinianus.

Characteristics

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Mollusca

Class: Gastropoda

Family: Philomycidae

Genus: Philomycus

Species: P. carolinianus

Physical appearance

Length: Typically 2–5 inches (5–13 cm) when fully extended.

Color: Light tan, gray, brown, or dark brown, often with darker mottled or speckled markings.

Body: Soft, flattened, and smooth.

Mantle: Unlike most slugs, the mantle covers almost the entire back, making it look as though it has no separate body sections.

Tentacles: Two long upper tentacles with eyes at the tips and two shorter lower tentacles used for sensing.

Habitat

Found throughout the southeastern United States, including South Carolina.

Prefers moist forests, gardens, parks, and wooded areas.

Often hides under logs, rocks, leaf litter, and bark during the day.

Most active at night or after rain.

Diet

Fungi (its favorite food)

Decaying leaves and wood

Algae and lichens

Occasionally tender garden plants

Behavior

Produces a layer of mucus that helps it glide and prevents dehydration.

Can climb trees and vegetation.

Leaves a shiny slime trail.

Hermaphroditic, meaning each individual has both male and female reproductive organs.

Interesting facts

It has no external shell.

The slime helps protect it from drying out and makes it harder for predators to grasp.

It plays an important ecological role by recycling decaying organic matter and helping decompose fungi and plant material.

On a recent trip to Alberta I saw the bumblebees around the house I was staying in had little orange stripes. Here back at home we seem to only have black and yellow striped bumbles.

This guy was the size of my thumb! Biggest beetle I’ve seen with my own two eyes

She was stuck on her back on a busy street. I offered a finger and the way she clung on was just so endearing 😭

Best description of them came from a family member, who found him and asked "why do you have a germ?" A member of Limacodidae, aka slug caterpillars. I accidentally kidnapped this guy while collecting food for my other caterpillars, and my yard has been too flooded to bring him back. I've been providing him with food in the meantime and he's a surprisingly voracious feller, this small guy eats two whole leaves a day. Instead of feet like other caterpillars, they basically just have one suction cup and kind of undulate around lol.