A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri
Small, about the length of a fire ant. Black body covered in white hairlike things. Rounded shell seems to cover body like armor, with the legs barely visible underneath. Moves slowly. Seems to have some sort of symbiotic relationship with ants, because I saw a few ants with it. They kept coming up to it in turns and tapping it with their antennae, the way they do with aphids. I think I saw it eat an aphid, but not sure. Photos are fuzzy bc it was dusk.
Observed on stem of a glossy-leafed shrub
Nice spot and photos, these are very interesting looking for sure. The first time I spotted one, I thought it was just a speck of dust, until further examination.
Spotted on May 9, 2012
Submitted on May 10, 2012
