Posted by johnes81 on 19-09-2018 14:37
#1
July 2015 - Berlin
Hello friends, I am hoping that someone can help shed some light on the contents of a photo of mine. The photo was made with a compact camera instead of a macro because the weather was very cloudy and windy and i didn't want to change the settings on the macro camera.
Anyway, i noticed a mud puddle with tiny reddish dots moving around very quickly. In between the reddish dots are some small dark insects with antennae. Anyone able to suggest an id for the moving red dots? could they be mosquito larvae? I did not collect anything.
Thank you for your time,
John
Edited by johnes81 on 19-09-2018 19:12
Posted by John Carr on 19-09-2018 15:45
#2
Springtails -- class Collembola order Symphypleona
Edit: Oh, sorry, you were asking for the other little things. Don't know. Mites?
Edited by John Carr on 19-09-2018 15:46
Posted by Tony Irwin on 19-09-2018 16:05
#3
I would say that the dark objects are culicid pupae ("antennae" = pupal horns), and that the red objects are Cladocera -
Daphnia or similar.
Posted by johnes81 on 19-09-2018 19:10
#4
Thank you John and Tony :)
I always want to be certain that you understand that i appreciate you very much.
I am thankful for the internet and wonderful network communities like diptera.info.
I have not seen a water flea before (that i know of). I think that is most likely what is in the water. Very interesting. I made a video but i don't think that i can attach videos here. The fleas were moving very quickly. I had to back away from a tree full of hornets because they were no longer tolerating my presence. Thus, i noticed the mud puddle in my retreat.
I've never seen mosquito larvae outside of scientific photos, so i am not able to determine what is in the photo. I appreciate the knowledge. I'll make a better effort to learn more about them.
I have identified several species of entognatha but i do not know if they are aquatic. I usually find them on trees and in grass. Sometimes on tree roots and stumps. On the other hand, i also find them on my balcony and on flower pots on the balcony.
I am happy to a better understanding of this photo.
I will try to upload a video to a host somewhere, then link to it if anyone is interested in viewing it.