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Did you know?

The Platypus is stranger than you think.

Platypuses have no nipples.  After the young hatch, the mother oozes milk from the pores all over her body.

The male platypus has a poison barb on the inside of its hind legs.  The purpose of this weapon is uncertain.

While often compared to the beaver, the platypus is only about 20 inches in length -- more comparable to the size of the muskrat.

The Platypus bill is actually just an elongated muzzle covered with much the same kind of tough skin found on a dog's nose.  This bill contains an electrically-sensitive organ that can detect the electrical signatures of the small aquatic animals it eats.

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Author Topic: I need help identifying an insect I just swatted!  (Read 1002 times)

Offline Howarth

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I need help identifying an insect I just swatted!
« on: June 19, 2005, 04:37:57 PM »
I have just killed the most weird looking insect and I really think its not of British origin!! It had a flat head with two huge black eyes then a green triangle on its back and the end of its body was shaped like a wasp with stripes but they were red and black it also had two pincer type things right at the end of its body. Any ideas? Ive tried using the insect key but cant find anything even remotely like it there!

Offline Astronuc

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Re: I need help identifying an insect I just swatted!
« Reply #1 on: June 19, 2005, 05:08:15 PM »
Any chance you can post a digital image?  That would help.

About how big are the wings?

Are the wings paired? And does it have long tail between wings and pincer?

Does it have large bulging eyes?
« Last Edit: June 19, 2005, 05:11:38 PM by Astronuc »
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Offline yale

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Re: I need help identifying an insect I just swatted!
« Reply #2 on: June 19, 2005, 05:17:24 PM »


European Earwig??
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Offline Orstio

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Re: I need help identifying an insect I just swatted!
« Reply #3 on: June 19, 2005, 05:49:40 PM »
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2068.html

Quote
Earwigs are elongate, flattened insects, ranging from light red-brown to black and are easily recognized by their forcep-like appendages (pincers) on the end of the abdomen. The forceps (cerci) are unequal in length in the males. Earwig female forceps are straight-sided, whereas male forceps are strongly curved (caliper-like) and larger. They have chewing mouthparts and long, slender antennae and are either winged or wingless. If wings are present, the first pair are hard, short and "beetle-like," while the second pair are membranous, fan-shaped and folded under the hard first pair of wings. Tips of the second pair of wings usually protrude from under the first pair. The European earwig ranges from 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, with banded legs and reddish head. The ringlegged earwig ranges from 1/2 to 3/5 inch long and is black-yellowish underneath with legs having dark crossbands. Young earwigs (nymphs) are similar to adults. They are white to olive-green and lack wings.



 

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