Trilobite Beetles of Singapore
Had a quick walk to locate one of the trilobite beetles known to exist in Singapore. Popularly known as Trilobite Beetle Larvae, these critters have a superficial resemblance to the extinct trilobites. Some of us used to jokingly call it the Jurassic bug. (incorrect name but just for fun) 😛
If you are interested in other trilobite beetles, I have compiled a checklist in Platerodrilus Checklist: Trilobite Beetles. Note that Duliticola is an obsolete junior synonym of Platerodrilus according to Masek & Bocak, 2013.
Quick article here about Singapore’s trilobite beetles: A SINGAPORE TRILOBITE LARVA, DULITICOLA SPECIES
#1 Found the Trilobite larva (Platerodrilus sp.) wiggling around on rotten logs, we lifted it up on a dead leaf
#2 Very active and reflective!
#3 It ran about non-stop!
#4 Once in a while, it would pause and look around
#5 Close up of the head
#6 The antennae can sometimes be mistaken for the eyes!
#7 Close view of the suction cup at the tail
#8 Can’t get enough of the cute head
#9 Close up of the head from above
#10 To many, the body just speaks of bizarre~
#11 Peeping out at us
#12 Close up of the suction cup
#13 Another view of the suction cup. It actually tried to crawl on me… and it felt… icy!
#14 Doing some gymnastics
#15 More close ups
#16 Final headshot of the trilobite beetle!
#17 Another pair of trilobite beetles found in an earlier shoot. Probably Platerodrilus hoseini.
#18 Ideas for backlighting
#19 Found this Huntsman Spider (Sparassidae) peering out while upside down. It allowed us to have a view of the fangs!
#20 I adjusted the foliage around, and managed to get a better view of the Sparassid!
#21 One of the scorpions of the night. Count the eyes!
The complete album can be viewed here
