This one is locally common in Peel Forest. Nocturnal, found on tree trunks, fairly small (length approx 10mm all up).
It has me totally stumped!
First time I've seen them down on the plains in Southland.
Uma cena inusitada...
A giant male Megadromus antarcticus from under rock. A typical “crassalis” type of M. antarcticus which is way more bigger than normal type. Fortunately I found 4 specimens (including one died one) this day.
Thanks so much @philip-howe to give me a chance to see this amazing insect and all helps!!!!
Six individuals seen total
Can anyone confirm or deny that this is Moa bones ? found in swampy area 1m under the topsoil , if not moa what is this ?
The abdomen pattern seems like very similar for me to these observations. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/201627293
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/203379038
Under a drifted sea weed on the gravel beach.
The specimen has been collected with alive condition.
Looks like Neocicindela hamiltoni, however it looks like the antennal scape has three setiforous pores, not one.
Labrum inbetween uni- and tri-dentate?
Pitfall trap, in ethanol, TTRD Tube 0367
ミヤマヒサゴゴミムシ
Broscosoma doenitzi (Harold, 1881)
Native Podocarp-broadleaved forest, at night.
On a carabid.
Abundant at this site and seems fairly common throughout the forest. Co-exists with M. sandageri and M. oregus. Ive previously found Mecodema laeviceps in this forest too but no trace of them on this trip.
Carabidae: Pterostichini: Megadromus bullatus
Two specimens near each other, photographed and released on site.
Mountain stone weta. Good population here of large weta, both yellow morph and intermediate morphs.
A large Dipluran (44 mm long) resembling Heterojapyx novaezeelandiae; found under rotting log in the rough block at Cape Sanctuary
First time to find velvet worm in my life.
The first photo is a homage to my friend @invertebratist.
Native beech forest in South Canterbury. Under a rotten log beside to walking track.
Probably this is 'Dunedin' peripatus.
15 pairs legs and brown based colors.
This is one of big happen in my life. I am very glad to found this crazy cool creature.
This is the large (35mm) "crassalis" form of this widespread Canterbury carabid beetle. It is known from a few South Canterbury hillside sites. I have found it to be moderately common along the Brothers range of hills east of SH8 between Cave and Fairlie.
The smaller typical form seems to reach its southernmost boundary on the coastal plains at the south end of Timaru. It may occur further south along the coast - something to investigate. The larger form appears identical to the smaller form anatomically and molecularly apparently, differing only in consistently larger average size.
Second specimen I’ve seen at this site, the southernmost site for this species known so far. Seems to be strictly coastal this far south, specimens are small (25mm), with the larger “crassalis” form (35mm) occuring further inland. Another undescribed species (dull black, 30mm) is common around Timaru gullies.
beech forest. infected with Cordyceps robertsii' fungus
Attracted to light, broadleaf forest. Not the clearest of images.
I think this is Platycheirus.
size 7.5 mm
Caught hovering under a tree along with several Fanniids.
Two different camera settings used (with and without flash) to show the striking electric blue irridescence.
Fieldwork with @ lloyd_esler, @ predomalpha and @ fiestykakapo.
High intertidal, on a washed up Durvillaea poha.
At night. Focus stack of 2 images.
(two individuals)
John Child bryophyte and lichen workshop 2023.
About 25 cm down in newly-dug spade spit in lawn. Old dune sand. First time seen in this part of the city. Wonderfully adapted front legs for burrowing. The last shot shows the underside - not very clear, sorry.
Native Podocarp-broadleaved forest, at night.
With a parasitic mite (separate obs)
Alpine.
John Child bryophyte and lichen workshop 2023.
A lovely black native harvestman with an interesting pattern on his back. Found in podocarp forest area.
Auckland Entomological Society field trip to Mataia Homestead, 28 October 2023.
Native Kauri-podocarp-broadleaved forest / Manuka, Kanuka scrub.
Under a decomposing log.
12 Photos. At about 1,700 metres a.s.l in the Fox Range between Sam Peak and Crozet Peak. First time I've ever seen a green peripatus
This tiny (1.8 - 2.0mm) eyeless orange carabid was found in very wet humus held in an open compost bin in my suburban garden, in a shady area with ample leaf litter and vegetation. Several were found during a period of heavy rainfall. Not seen in September during warmer dryer weather, so I anticipate that they are usually found deeper down.
Not sure of the species (there are 3 described), but certainly seems to key out at this genus.
Stag beetle, found as nearly-emerged pupa in riverbed driftwood, emerged from pupa a couple of days later.
A very quick view (no photo) of an Australian painted lady basking in my front garden around 1pm. I saw it fly down (much paler in flight than yellow admiral), it opened its wings for 2 seconds, then took off before I could snap a shot with the phone camera. Mild day, around 18C, following a long period of wet and cool weather.
This is only the second sighting I have made in Timaru, the first being in the 1970s. Have seen them in Nelson area on occasion. Perhaps there are greater numbers than usual?
Two of several Helms's stag beetles adults and larvae seen under logs and rocks in coastal forest.
One of three feeding on dead adult dobsonfly corpse on sandy stretch by river.
Got larva from driftwood on 9/5. Became to pupa on 10/7. Emergence on 11/9. 34 days of pupa?
Under rock on field, adventive scrub/pasture. This 20mm-long species is a South Canterbury endemic found in the Geraldine-Temuka-Timaru areas. Sometimes find in suburban gardens , occasionally on pathways in daylight.