Vinegaroons and Spore Dispersal of Fungi
I always knew that fungi dispersed spores, but never got to know the extent of dispersal nor witnessed one. It was only during a night shoot when some of us thought they saw “smoke” coming out of a fallen log, and realized that they were spores being dispersed.
![Bracket Fungi dispersing spores - DSC_2728](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8173/8067246071_1fd820ff0f_z.jpg)
#1 Looked like a sandstorm up close. The spores were carried lightly in the gentle breeze. For those of us squatting there, we would probably have breathed in thousands of spores. @.@
![Bracket Fungi dispersing spores - DSC_2764](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8459/8067242776_7296e631f3_z.jpg)
#2 Trying to document the floating spores
![Bracket fungi dispersing spores - DSC_2773](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8085/8595697064_9cccb1d7dc_z.jpg)
#3 Every shot would look similar, yet vastly different
![Bracket fungi dispersing spores - DSC_2809](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8391/8595697112_65e0e4e64e_z.jpg)
#4 The source: lots of bracket fungi on a fallen log
![Bracket Fungi dispersing spores - DSC_2825](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8029/8067245187_7e237d4a08_z.jpg)
#5 It seemed to be dispersing spores non-stop
![Bracket Fungi dispersing spores - DSC_2843](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8460/8067235386_e81f583f59_z.jpg)
#6 Finally satisfied with this image to show the phenomenon
The other unique find of the night was the discovery of a
Vinegaroon, a.k.a.
Whip Scorpion (Thelyphonida, formerly Uropygi) It seemed quite skittish and sensitive to our torch lights, but we managed to capture some shots after some climbing through lots of dried branches.
![Whip Scorpion (Thelyphonida) - DSC_3079](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8182/8067238446_66748254f2_z.jpg)
#7 The
Whip Scorpion seemed quite irritated by our presence. Surprisingly, we did not get sprayed with any “vinegar”. It could have used up it’s ammunition earlier…?
![Whip Scorpion (Thelyphonida) - DSC_3086](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8319/8067240943_581c3e916e_z.jpg)
#8 The “whip” refers to the tail, and the base of the tail is also where the glands secreting the “vinegar” are located. The tail also has a sensory function, and is often hairy to help “feel” around.
![Whip Scorpion (Thelyphonida) - DSC_3095](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8173/8067240627_8b1e7545a7_z.jpg)
#9 It has eight pairs of legs, with the front-most pair extra long and modified to function as feelers.
![Whip Scorpion (Thelyphonida) - DSC_3101](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8040/8067240435_e0f130ea79_z.jpg)
#10 The massive palps are claw-like and used to capture prey. Not very surprising here. 🙂
![Whip Scorpion (Thelyphonida) - DSC_3110](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/8067239707_0f43ca96b5_z.jpg)
#11 Very dark and reflective, this is one of the most difficult subjects to light up. I was carrying everything handheld so it was too difficult to adjust the flash.
![Whip Scorpion (Thelyphonida) - DSC_3140](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8313/8067236258_590488d654_z.jpg)
#12 Attempt at alternative lighting. The hair on the tail can be seen clearly here.
![Whip Scorpion (Thelyphonida) - DSC_3141](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8176/8067238731_e4a8a97dfa_z.jpg)
#13 Positioned flashes both at the top and bottom of the whip scorpion.
![Whip Scorpion (Thelyphonida) - DSC_3145](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8174/8067238541_9172692b6c_z.jpg)
#14 Final shot before we left the jittery fella scampering off.
There were several other finds in the night, not that much less unique. 🙂
![Huntsman Spider (Sparassidae) - DSC_2858](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8457/8067237767_19c6d8d505_z.jpg)
#15 Close up of a
Huntsman Spider (
Sparassidae)
![Masked Hunter (Reduvius sp.) - DSC_2880](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8316/8067244929_c1449e6258_z.jpg)
#16 Masked Hunter, or Assassin Bug nymph. Very well camouflaged on tree bark. See if you can spot the eyes. 🙂
![Harvestman (Opiliones) - DSC_2896](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8314/8067241840_3784fab9de_z.jpg)
#17 Harvestman (Opiliones)
![Harvestman (Opiliones) - DSC_2900](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8033/8067241632_4d19ffe7bd_z.jpg)
#18 What happens when I miss the subject altogether. lol
![Harvestman (Opiliones) - DSC_2901](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8317/8067244327_327ef7d143_z.jpg)
#19 This was what I was trying to shoot
![Trap-jaw Ant (Odontomachus sp.) - DSC_2914](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8032/8067241236_26d6da6c77_z.jpg)
#20 Trap jaw ant?
![Trap-jaw Ant (Odontomachus sp.) - DSC_2924](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8171/8067243921_b0c9f01c19_z.jpg)
#21 Trap jaw ant with a tiny ant beside
![Scorpion with babies (Scorpiones) - DSC_2932](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8181/8067243669_5a8900195c_z.jpg)
#22 Found a scorpion carrying it’s newborns
![Scorpion with babies (Scorpiones) - DSC_2942](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8038/8067240498_fa8febc4cb_z.jpg)
#23 Almost customary to take a UV-lit version of all scorpions. 🙂
![Scorpion with babies (Scorpiones) - DSC_2944](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8458/8067240190_067686baac_z.jpg)
#24 Close up. Quite obvious that the young ones do not exhibit UV-fluorescence. For more on why scorpions glow under UV light, I have a post on it:
Why do Scorpions Glow under UV Light? ![Planthopper (Fulgoridae) - DSC_2959](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8033/8067239904_a9e3effc05_z.jpg)
#25 Rick found this tiny little
Fulgoridae nymph. Has an elongated snout. Lantern bug baby?? 🙂
![Planthopper (Fulgoridae) - DSC_2964](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8312/8067242465_b2685ae6a1_z.jpg)
#26 Top view shows very beautiful colours on the bug.
![Crab Spider (Thomisidae) - DSC_2972](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8316/8067239386_8ce0e1eb3d_z.jpg)
#27 Not sure of ID. Anyone with hints on this?
![Crab Spider (Thomisidae) - DSC_2978](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8182/8067241875_45dee98dc4_z.jpg)
#28 Close up on the eye arrangement
![Planthopper nymph (Fulgoromorpha) - DSC_3050](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8036/8067238894_42673ae429_z.jpg)
#29 Planthopper nymph with the “starburst fiber optic” tail
![Jumping Spider (Salticidae) - DSC_3064](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8318/8067241419_d7dc29ac89_z.jpg)
#30 A tiny jumping spider (
Salticidae)
![Huntsman Spider (Sparassidae) - DSC_2707](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8322/8067246595_40c1519d15_z.jpg)
#31 Huntsman spider (
Sparassidae) found in the leaf litter
![Huntsman Spider (Sparassidae) - DSC_2747](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8171/8067245853_de3b8ba22a_z.jpg)
#32 Another huntsman spider (
Sparassidae) on a fallen log
![Flatid Planthopper? (Fulgoromorpha) - DSC_2713](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8040/8067246309_593bdc3116_z.jpg)
#33 Leafhopper engulfed in fungus
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