Photos / Sounds

What

Peninsula Protea Chafer (Trichostetha mimetica)

Observer

zdenek_hanc

Date

December 15, 1997

Photos / Sounds

What

Narrow Green-banded Swallowtail (Papilio nireus)

Observer

gordonsick

Date

February 21, 2024 03:46 PM EAT

Description

Lake Duluti, Arusha, TZ

Photos / Sounds

What

Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum ssp. simum)

Observer

tdietz

Date

July 2016

Description

Field sketch from 2009 Kruger National Park

Photos / Sounds

Observer

andrewdeacon

Date

January 12, 2024 11:02 AM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Pondo Crossberry (Grewia pondoensis)

Observer

tonyrebelo

Date

June 2024

Photos / Sounds

What

Drakensberg Prinia (Prinia hypoxantha)

Observer

tomheijnen

Date

June 9, 2019 10:48 AM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis)

Observer

wildnothos

Date

May 30, 2019 12:42 PM CEST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

bushboy

Date

July 17, 2024 10:23 AM SAST

Description

Hazel gets her man!

Photo kind courtesy of Hazel Nevin

Tags

Photos / Sounds

Observer

markusgmeiner

Date

March 29, 2024 11:04 AM EAT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

nic_venter

Date

June 21, 2024 02:41 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Northern Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

Observer

sapphirejack

Date

July 2024

Place

Kenya (Google, OSM)

Description

Cute

Photos / Sounds

Observer

ottob-c

Date

January 2024

Photos / Sounds

Observer

brenainn

Date

May 24, 2024 02:10 AM EAT

Photos / Sounds

What

Western Redleg Millipede (Orthoporoides tabulinus)

Observer

dianastuder

Date

April 13, 2022 01:02 PM SAST

Description

large millipede with red legs

Photos / Sounds

What

Broad-nosed Weevils (Subfamily Entiminae)

Observer

patrickschlemmer

Date

July 14, 2024 07:03 AM EAT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

botswanabugs

Date

September 17, 2019

Description

on Boscia foetida flowers. Sorry about the poor photo of this tiny but distinctively coloured beetle.

Photos / Sounds

What

Lüderitz Glasswort (Salicornia dunensis)

Observer

skuakanga

Date

July 21, 2024 05:35 PM CAT

Photos / Sounds

What

Beetles (Order Coleoptera)

Observer

cecileroux

Date

July 20, 2024 12:20 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

cecileroux

Date

July 20, 2024 12:09 PM SAST

Description

1-2mm body length

Photos / Sounds

What

Cape Carrion Beetle (Silpha punctulata)

Observer

wesselpretorius

Date

July 16, 2024 10:23 AM SAST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

nikiescott

Date

July 8, 2018

Description

Mombasinia superba (Photos 1 to 19). Note: I numbered the photos from 1 to 19 (on the lower right hand side of each photo), but the reference to these numbers in my text below do not follow this chronological order.

Background
The species is described in this publication:
De Lotto, G. 1964. A new species of Mombasinia (Hom.: Pseudococcidae) from South Africa. Proceedings of the Linnaean Society of London 175(2): 135-136. I cannot access it – is someone maybe lucky to have a copy that they can share – thanks (@traianbertau, you are good at finding obscure and old publications, can you kindly help).
According to: "Millar, I. 2002. Mealybug genera (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) of South Africa: Identification and review. African Entomology 10(2): 185-233", (of which I have a copy), there are only two species in the genus, with M. superba occurring in South Africa, and the other one occurring in Kenya. He does not mention the other species, and iNaturalist only lists M. superba.
The only host plants recorded for the genus are Flacourtia indica and Scolopia zeyheri. I have posted pictures of the host plant on which I found the mealybugs here:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/230669447

My observations
Massive “colonies” may occur on the undersides of leaves. I did not do a study to determine their life cycle, nor their occurrence over a long period. During winter the leaves of the trees start to dry out and curl, showing their undersides, and in the process revealing the mealybugs on infested trees. Small trees may be infested so badly that they appear white from a distance in winter (16; 17). The dorsal parts of lower leaves, as well as some stems and twigs, and the area below the trees, were typically covered in a black sooty mould (17). Fallen, dry leaves retain the snow white colour of the mealybug scales, below the trees (17), and are very conspicuous, even revealing the position of the smallest inconspicuous trees growing low between the grasses. I did not investigate whether the mealybugs inflict any damage to the leaves or trees. Apart from the wax structures on the bodies of the mealybugs, it seems that they produce extra loose wax plates, roughly in the shape of “bent” rectangles - visible on some photos (11; 12; 13;) that they use to cover the entire colony on a leaf (eggs, nymphs and adults). Photo 6 may give an indication of the location on the mealybug body from where these wax plates are produced (in pairs from the sides). These wax plates are kept in place (as a roof) above the colony (14) by sticky filaments (maybe honeydew); they are not firmly fixed, but impossible to remove with forceps or micro brushes – if you try, everything comes off as a sticky entangled mess (18). You cannot blow off the wax filaments, they just “flutter”, but stay in place.
Eggs: They are laid singularly, but may occur in groups, hidden under the wax layers, but not in egg sacks (15, black arrow). They are very small, I think approx. 0,1 mm. I found them in early winter, but do not know whether they start to appear earlier.
Nymphs: They occur with the adults under the wax layers, even in winter (July in Pretoria) (3, 5, 11, 12, 13). They are approx. 0,5 to 0,75 mm in length. The smallest nymphs are orange/yellow, and some portions of wax extensions are visible on some. Nymphs were seen walking on stems of trees in the winter, presumably looking for hiding/overwintering places to wait the cold months out and for new growth to appear in spring.
Adult females: They are approx. 1,2 mm in length, excluding the long wax extensions. The wax extensions are very characteristic: four pairs of long thin extensions anteriorly, and two similar pairs posteriorly (clearly visible in 8 and 9). Sometimes these extensions may be twice the length of the body (7), but mostly breaks off easily and are mostly shorter. There is an additional shorter tail visible on some individuals (5). There are also spiralling wax disks on the dorsal abdomen and thorax. It looks like three pairs, but it is not always clear. The two anterior spirals may be extended with up to five curls (9). The other spirals are broader and flatter.
Adult males: During winter I only found a few males, maybe more are produced earlier. They are winged, and just over 1 mm in length (19).
Disclaimer: The above description is by myself, and not on a professional taxonomic standard (I am not a taxonomist). I could not find any publication that gave descriptions of the live (alive) stages, if anybody find some, kindly share so that we can compare my observations/descriptions with those of other observers, and make corrections if needed.
The submission of the tree on which the mealybugs were found can be found here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/230669447.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

suncana

Date

May 2, 2022 09:47 AM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Common Figtree Blue (Myrina silenus ssp. ficedula)

Observer

tonyrebelo

Date

June 24, 2024 12:20 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Net-winged Beetles (Family Lycidae)

Observer

jberg48

Date

June 5, 2024 12:04 AM EAT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

jberg48

Date

June 9, 2024 04:12 AM EAT

Photos / Sounds

What

Cmr Blisterbeetle (Hycleus oculatus)

Observer

felix_riegel

Date

January 29, 2022 11:06 AM SAST

Description

on Calpurnia sericea

Photos / Sounds

What

Elephant Weevil (Orthorhinus cylindrirostris)

Observer

gibbergavin

Date

November 30, 2020 07:59 AM AEST

Photos / Sounds

What

White-breasted Sunbird (Cinnyris talatala)

Observer

kerbusch_t

Date

July 16, 2024 05:09 PM CAT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

gibbergavin

Date

November 22, 2020 08:34 AM AEDT

Description

body length 8.3 mm

Photos / Sounds

What

Adonis Ladybird Beetle (Hippodamia variegata)

Observer

mikefishnz

Date

April 8, 2024 12:48 PM NZST

Description

On a sign post during a stopover in Cheviot.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

christopher1201

Date

July 15, 2024 04:49 PM SAST

Description

On a sour fig flower.

Photos / Sounds

What

Large White (Pieris brassicae)

Observer

kinajoubert

Date

July 14, 2024 12:32 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

cecileroux

Date

July 13, 2024 10:48 AM SAST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

markusgmeiner

Date

March 28, 2024 09:54 AM EAT

Photos / Sounds

What

Ska Bladderhopper (Bullacris boschimana)

Observer

mikhailag90

Date

October 1, 1911

Description

One of a kind


Holotype specimen catalogued at the Iziko museum.
Catalogue Number: SAM-ORT-A004325



Photos / Sounds

What

Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

Observer

tonyrebelo

Date

June 14, 2024 04:26 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Mainland Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis ssp. capensis)

Observer

kinajoubert

Date

February 22, 2024 10:31 AM SAST

Tags

Photos / Sounds

What

African Migrant (Catopsilia florella)

Observer

kinajoubert

Date

February 22, 2024 10:36 AM SAST

Tags

Photos / Sounds

What

Buff-tailed Bumble Bee (Bombus terrestris)

Observer

miamm

Date

April 26, 2024 03:20 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

halvard_midtun

Date

June 8, 2024 07:55 PM GMT

Photos / Sounds

What

Crimson-breasted Gonolek (Laniarius atrococcineus)

Observer

reshan

Date

June 29, 2024 01:15 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

terryfic

Date

March 23, 2014 09:40 AM AEST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

gibbergavin

Date

January 24, 2022 01:28 PM AEDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Larger Desertcoast Spider Beetle (Damarus magnus)

Observer

skuakanga

Date

March 21, 2023 03:38 PM CAT

Photos / Sounds

What

African Openbill (Anastomus lamelligerus)

Observer

angela_husfeld

Date

June 11, 2024 04:13 PM CAT

Photos / Sounds

What

Soldier Beetles (Family Cantharidae)

Date

July 7, 2024 09:51 PM CAT

Photos / Sounds

What

Thin-striped Wattle Cicada (Ewartia roberti)

Observer

gibbergavin

Date

January 16, 2022 12:02 PM AEDT

Description

body length 18 mm (28 mm total length)

id by David Emery, 29/1/22

Tags

fav

Photos / Sounds

What

Comb-clawed Darkling Beetles (Subfamily Alleculinae)

Observer

arnovandervyver

Date

June 30, 2024 03:13 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Southern Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori ssp. kori)

Observer

dougmacsafaris

Date

November 2018

Place

Botswana (Google, OSM)

Photos / Sounds

Observer

jane_trembath

Date

July 6, 2024 01:06 PM SAST

Description

About 5mm. Found swimming at my water measuring installation in the pan. Placed on a floating treatment wetland next to it for another photo. These installations are used by waterbirds to perch so it could have dropped off one.

Photos / Sounds

What

Bigsnout Lanternflies (Genus Zanna)

Observer

nick_schaller

Date

July 5, 2024 03:55 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

hennie3

Date

June 17, 2024 08:36 PM SAST

Description

from pupa in decomposing dry wood

Photos / Sounds

Observer

botswanabugs

Date

April 27, 1996

Place

Mahalapye (Google, OSM)

Description

day

Photos / Sounds

Observer

invertophiles

Date

November 27, 2016

Photos / Sounds

What

Broad-nosed Weevils (Subfamily Entiminae)

Observer

subbi

Date

February 3, 2023 10:34 AM EAT

Photos / Sounds

What

Northern Knysna Turaco (Tauraco corythaix ssp. phoebus)

Observer

heinrichhuman

Date

July 4, 2024 07:20 AM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Grassveld Tree Fern (Cyathea dregei)

Observer

rooikat_

Date

September 25, 2023 09:10 AM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Green Milkweed Locust (Phymateus viridipes)

Observer

bryanadkins

Date

April 13, 2024 07:56 AM EAT

Description

Laying eggs with ovipositor evident.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

alexanderr

Date

February 25, 2018 01:44 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Smileyface Lady Beetle (Oenopia divergens)

Observer

bushboy

Date

January 13, 2018 03:21 PM SAST

Description

Still no smile

Smileyface Ladybeetle (Oenopia divergens) still not in dictionary

Photos / Sounds

Observer

alandmanson

Date

June 29, 2024 02:41 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Southern Hadada Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash ssp. hagedash)

Observer

bushboy

Date

July 1, 2024 04:33 PM SAST

Description

Chutzpah

Tazer's mom a little late to save his leftover chicken & chunks dinner ...

Photos / Sounds

Observer

gibbergavin

Date

December 30, 2021 08:22 AM AEST

Description

body length 4 mm

Photos / Sounds

Observer

cecileroux

Date

June 29, 2024 03:53 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

botswanabugs

Date

November 1, 1991

Place

Mahalapye (Google, OSM)

Description

attracted to uv

Photos / Sounds

Observer

cecileroux

Date

November 12, 2023 09:32 AM SAST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

mikemelton

Date

December 24, 2018 10:32 AM SAST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

mandy_schubach

Date

April 2024

Description

Eating Lysurus corallocephalus, a Coral Stinkhorn

Photos / Sounds

Observer

goggaman

Date

June 30, 2024 01:09 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Polyphagous Shothole Borer Beetle Complex (Complex Euwallacea fornicatus)

Observer

jane_trembath

Date

June 25, 2024 09:00 AM SAST

Description

Host tree Platanus

Photos / Sounds

What

Jewel Flutterer (Rhyothemis resplendens)

Date

February 18, 2019 09:50 AM AEST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

gibbergavin

Date

December 7, 2021 09:31 AM AEST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

cecileroux

Date

June 27, 2024 12:15 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Ladybirds (Family Coccinellidae)

Date

September 26, 2022 07:00 PM CAT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

cecileroux

Date

June 23, 2024 01:10 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Human (Homo sapiens)

Observer

maxallen

Date

June 2024

Place

Namibia (Google, OSM)

Photos / Sounds

Observer

globalherping

Date

January 2012

Place

Madagascar (Google, OSM)

Photos / Sounds

Observer

marula

Date

June 21, 2024 12:59 PM SAST

Description

Found in the grasslands. Small, >2cm

Photos / Sounds

Observer

globalherping

Date

January 2012

Place

Madagascar (Google, OSM)

Photos / Sounds

What

Narra Toktokkie (Onymacris plana ssp. plana)

Observer

leucorchestris

Date

March 14, 2015 09:18 PM CAT

Photos / Sounds

What

Lily Weevils (Genus Brachycerus)

Observer

leucorchestris

Date

March 10, 2019 06:22 AM CAT

Photos / Sounds

What

Common Wild Fig (Ficus burkei)

Observer

bushboy

Date

June 21, 2024 08:21 AM SAST

Description

Down, but not out

Photos / Sounds

Observer

william6

Date

May 28, 2023 12:05 PM CAT

Photos / Sounds

What

Fireflies (Family Lampyridae)

Observer

odettecurtis

Date

June 17, 2024 11:09 AM SAST

Description

Feeding on a snail

Photos / Sounds

Observer

g210

Date

April 14, 2024 07:32 AM SAST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

odettecurtis

Date

June 17, 2024 02:55 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Tropical Pill Woodlice (Family Armadillidae)

Observer

rjbasson

Date

June 11, 2024 11:03 AM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

African Peach Moth (Egybolis vaillantina)

Observer

yusufzanzibar

Date

June 19, 2024 10:35 AM EAT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

annekevet

Date

June 1, 2024 08:15 PM SAST

Description

The bum was stuck to the leaf and wiggles a bit. Was a bit similar to other lady beetles.

Photos / Sounds

What

Beetles (Order Coleoptera)

Observer

suncana

Date

June 15, 2024 07:37 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

matthew_hemming

Date

February 5, 2023 07:57 AM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Keratin Beetles (Family Trogidae)

Observer

michelemenegon

Date

June 15, 2024 03:02 PM EAT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

m_d

Date

April 15, 2023 10:18 AM SAST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

gibbergavin

Date

June 13, 2024 02:07 PM AEST

Description

body length 7 mm; under bark on eucalypt log

Photos / Sounds

Date

June 10, 2024 02:32 PM CAT

Place

Lugela, MZ (Google, OSM)

Photos / Sounds

What

Caprivi Combretum (Combretum elaeagnoides)

Date

June 14, 2024 01:05 PM CAT

Photos / Sounds

What

Speckled Rock Skink (Trachylepis punctatissima)

Observer

alexanderr

Date

June 16, 2024 11:44 AM SAST

Description

eventually swallowed the gecko head first

Photos / Sounds

Observer

angus_burns

Date

June 16, 2024 02:31 PM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Southern Malachite Sunbird (Nectarinia famosa ssp. famosa)

Observer

corriedt

Date

June 13, 2024 12:27 PM SAST