Saturday, August 31, 2024

Cicada orni

804_1443 [Cicada orni]

This fascinating insect with its unique, erotic call to female cicadas
sometimes spends the night on the awnings of my balcony in summer
and grants me an opportunity to take a picture of it. This also happened a few weeks ago.
 
It is very common in central Europe and all the Mediterranean countries
where an expert can spot about 60 different species.
In Greece, there are approximately 33 species.
 
I was curious to learn some more things about this insect,
so I asked GPT for some basic facts about it.
Here is the answer I got; in case you are interested.
 
“Cicadas are fascinating insects with several unique characteristics. Here are some interesting facts:
 
1. Long Life Cycle: Some cicadas have incredibly long-life cycles, particularly the periodical cicadas of North America, which emerge after 13 or 17 years. These species spend most of their lives underground as nymphs before emerging en masse to mate.
 
2. Loudest Insects: Male cicadas are among the loudest insects in the world. Their mating calls can reach up to 120 decibels, which is as loud as a chainsaw or a rock concert.
 
3. Vibrating Membranes: The loud sound is produced by specialized structures called tymbals located on the sides of the abdomen. By rapidly contracting and relaxing muscles attached to these membranes, cicadas create their characteristic buzzing sound.
 
4. Temperature-Dependent Activity: Cicadas are more active and produce sound more vigorously when the temperature is warmer. This is why their songs are most commonly heard during hot summer days. 
 
5. Short Adult Life: Despite their long developmental periods, adult cicadas only live for a few weeks, during which they focus on mating and laying eggs.
 
6. Unique Defense Mechanism: Cicadas rely on a form of predator satiation to survive. By emerging in large numbers simultaneously, they overwhelm predators, ensuring that enough of them survive to reproduce.
 
7. Global Distribution: Cicadas are found on every continent except Antarctica. There are over 3,000 species worldwide, with diverse appearances and behaviors.
 
8. Diet: Cicadas primarily feed on the sap of trees and plants. As nymphs, they suck fluids from the roots of plants, while adults often target twigs and small branches.
 
9. Molting Process: Before becoming adults, cicada nymphs undergo a final molt where they shed their exoskeleton. This process often leaves behind the characteristic empty shells clinging to tree trunks and branches.
 
10. Cultural Significance: Cicadas hold symbolic meanings in various cultures. In ancient China, they were symbols of rebirth and immortality, while in Japan, they are associated with the fleeting nature of life.” 
 
 
303_4985 [Cicada orni]

 An exoskeleton of a Cicada orni. See GPT #9 above.
 
 

Saturday, August 24, 2024

Pavonia hastata

IMG_4264 R [Pavonia hastata]

A shrub that reaches a height of 1.5m.
It is native to some countries of South America
and reportedly there are about 300 variants.
 
I had my first ever encounter with this plant a week ago
in Diomidous Botanical Garden in Athens
where I had the chance to take this photograph.
 
 

Saturday, August 17, 2024

Psittacula krameri

300_7157 [Psittacula krameri]

 
A lovable bird that often visits our garden
 
For older posts with additional pictures and some info please click HERE.
 
 

Saturday, August 10, 2024

Dactylorhiza succifera

303_8631 [Dactylorhiza succifera]

 
303_8666 [Dactylorhiza saccifera]
 
Α closeup on its dense inflorescence that can reach as many as 150 flowers.
 
 
 
303_8671 [Dactylorhiza saccifera]
 
 
Dactylorhiza succifera is a very common orchid
that thrives in the central and eastern Mediterranean.
A tall and robust plant that reaches 90 cm.
It grows and blooms from June to August near streams with water
or in very wet soils at altitudes of up to 2200 m.
 
In Greece, it grows all over the mainland.
 
Photographed on Mt. Dirfis
 
 

Saturday, August 3, 2024

Nasua nasua

_MG_3036 [Nasua nasua]

 
_MG_3038 [Nasua nasua]
 
Nasua nasua are medium-sized mammals
commonly known as South American coatis.
They are pretty similar to raccoons as they belong in the same family.
They live in groups of up to 40 and keep together
even when they look for food on trees or on the ground.
They eat fruit, vegetables, insects, eggs, etc.
 
I have never seen them live, except in the Attica Zoological Park
where they were incessantly playing on the branches of a tree.