Saturday, June 26, 2010

Weirdest and Freakiest Insects in Your Yard, Garden, Orchard and Pond | Scienceray

Weirdest and Freakiest Insects in Your Yard, Garden, Orchard and Pond | Scienceray

As mentioned in my article entitled “Incredibly Awesome-Looking Garden and Most Sought Collection and Pet Insects” there are more than one million species of insects. They represent more than 90% of all the living organisms in the planet. In relation to that, they also have the greatest number of weird and freak-looking species.

Narycius opalus


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This beautiful but somewhat bizarre-looking beetle is scientifically called Narycius opalus. It is a beetle that can be found in South Asia. The male has a prominent projection on the head, making it of interest to collectors. This structure is probably the result of sexual selection.

Cottony Cushion Scale (Icerya purchasi)


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The first freak on the list is the Cottony Cushion Scale, an insect that feeds on several species of woody plants.  Its favorite plants are Citrus and Pittosporum. It was originally identified in New Zealand consuming Kangaroo Acacia. It is now found worldwide where citrus crops are grown.

Cave Beetle (Leptodirus hochenwartii)


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Like the Narycius opalus, the odd-looking Leptodirus hochenwartii or L. hohenwarti has no common name yet. Since it is identified as a cave beetle then it should be named Cave Beetle. It is well adapted to the life underground and unable to survive outside. Its most striking feature is the domed elytrae which cover the abdomen completely and give it a round appearance. This unusual beetle is found in Slovenia.

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