eamonccorbett's Favorites

Ocean Pout in Cape Cod Bay about 2 miles east of Gurnet Point at the entrance to Plymouth, Duxbury and Kingston Bays.

Depth approx 62 ft
Water temp at depth: approx 53 F

View full observation video: https://youtu.be/hEvZ5S2zkW8

Part of The Harbors Video Project -- https://www.theharborsvideoproject.org

porch light at night.

From BugGuide: "Range
Interior e NA, where it seems to be very uncommon due to the low number of collected specimens." "Life Cycle: asso. w/ sycamore (Platanus occidentalis, Platanaceae)

This brilliant colour is caused by IIV-31 (Isopod Iridescent Virus). I've been checking hundreds of pill bugs over several years for this unusual phenomenon and my persistence finally paid off!
Sadly, this total colour change is usually the later stage of the virus; once a pill bug is this bright it generally doesn't have much longer to live.

One of two individuals observed near a cluster of yuccas (the other individual is here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42495705). This is a known location for this species, east of its main range (Marks, 2018, Butterflies of Louisiana) . I think this one made soft wing-slapping noises when it flew.