We have some unusual photos today, but to ease you into them, here’s a flying sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) photographed in Idaho by Stephen Barnard. You should be starting to pick up some of the Latin binomials by now. Do you remember the scientific name of the red-tailed hawk? (Note: when a photo is overlapped by the book icons to the right, simply click on it once, wait a second, and then click again to get the enlarged photo without the annoying overlap.)
Reader Jonathan Wallace sent some unusual photos of leaf-mining caterpillars, and some nice notes on their biology (read them!):
Here are some pictures of leaf mining lepidopteran larvae. Many micro moth larvae feed between the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf where, presumably, they gains some level of protection from predators and also from either desiccation or being blown/washed off the leaf by wind and rain. It is possible to identify species from characters such as the plant species the mine is found in, which surface the egg is laid on, the shape of the mine and the form of the frass (droppings). These first two are Stigmella floslactella and Lyonetia clerkella (two vacated mines).
This is the mine of the Nut-leaf blister moth Phyllonorycter coryli which makes characteristic silver blisters on the leaves of hazel nut trees.
These two are Coleophora serratella and Cameraria ohridella. Coleophora [first photo] is a large genus in which the larvae typically make a case which stands erect from the leaf surface. As can be seen in this picture, the larva exits the case into the space it has excavated in the leaf to feed and retreats back into the case when not feeding. Cameraria ohridella [second photo] feeds on horse chestnut and was unknown in the UK about 10 years ago (it originates from SE Europe) but from its discovery in the London area it has rapidly spread across the country. The mines make unsightly blothches on the leaves and heavily infested trees go brown prematurely in the summer.
Very nice leafminer photos! Note that the Cameraria mine widens as the larva grows.
Leaf miner. What a name. Leaf thief, if you ask me. 😀 Thanks for the neat photos.
🐛🐛
The bird photos are always good. After trying my hand, I really appreciate them, for it is difficult to be there in space, time and focus.
Wow. enlarging the Sandhill crane picture brings in an awesome picture. This one is a lesson on the different feather groups on the dorsal surface of a wing. A while ago you had posted here a great picture of a Canadian goose, and a similarly great image of the ventral wing feathers. I have fun looking closely at those.
I got lucky with that shot. My default settings and the lighting were perfect when the bird flew over. This is the sharpest in-flight shot I’ver ever taken.
ISO 800, 700mm, f/8, 1/8000
I often look at the work of leaf mining insects, but had never thought to photograph them. I think I should this summer.
I also did not know about the external case that some species leave. I have been seeing those for years here in the States, and I had no idea what they were.
It is cool to learn new stuff, so thank you, Jon!
Great photos with bonus learnings! Thanks. I think I have an apple tree infested with miners…always turns brown early. I’ll take a closer look this summer.
The last two photos are in the wrong order, no?
How much fun to learn so much about leaf miners! I’ve always known about them but been too stupid to think to try to research them.
Is there no end to invasive species?!
Fascinating crane shot, Stephen! I concur with Mark about studying the feather groups. If I’m not mistaken, this individual has recently molted and regrown quite a few secondaries.
Also a good illustration of how the cranes cover themselves in mud…
Two things strike me about the crane photo:
1. The leading curve of the wing is beautiful.
2. You can see right through the nostrils to the sky. 🙂
Yes, wings are so impressive. I’m sure you’ve noticed the whump/whump/whump sounds when they fly low enough.
Good point about the nostrils; often as I’ve observed that (in several spp), I’ve never really thought about it before.
There’s a pair of sandhills that nest near us and forage in our mown field every day. I try to remember to look for them before taking the dogs out, but sometimes I forget. I feel really bad, then. I hate to flush them in the first place, plus they have such a time getting off the ground! Once in the air they’re beautiful flyers, but it’s hard to lift off when you’re that big, I guess.
Probably makes it easy for him to blow his nose?
Hi Diane. You are correct, the Coleophora is the last photo (with the little sticking out bit from the leaf surface).
Jonathan
I have taken pictures of leaf miners in the trees in Regent’s Park along side the Zoo… on Hornbeam I seem to recall. Very nice pictures – thanks for sharing.