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This wasp specializes in hunting trapdoor spiders, which is not an easy feat. And since trapdoor spiders do such a good job of having a secure little bunker, this wasp also makes use of that too. The wasp lures the spider towards the opening of its burrow, not far enough for the spider to pounce but enough for the wasp to drag it out for a quick paralyzing sting. She'll then drag the spider back into its own nest, lay an egg, seal everything up, and then leave to be on her way. Before documented observation of this behavior, it was believed that the wasp initially breaks into the spider's burrow and fights it within. Now we know that she knows how to use the terrain to her advantage to disorientate and overpower the spider.

Ding dong ditch but worse

photographs by William Chong

(thank u)

Almost forgot about this really cool bug that flew into my car as I was leaving from work

Thousands of pitcher plants nestled within the sphagnum moss mat of a bog! This was my first time in a bog, and I was (and still am) so in awe of how all of the pitcher plants looked on the vivid red ground. Red and green is one of my favorite color combinations, so to be surrounded in nature by the exact shades I love seeing together was incredible. I took tons of close-ups of individual pitchers, but I started zooming out at the end in an attempt to communicate the sheer number of plants there were. It felt like they never ended, and it was amazing!

quartz with covellite inclusions

Ceramic sculpture "Narcissus" by Japanese artist Kenichi Nakaya

rainbow lattice sunstone

Every observation of animals like the Pacific viperfish helps us better understand the remarkable adaptations that allow life to thrive in the deep ocean.

Eclipse Table Lamp, from 1960s Brazil.

OUR PLANET 1.04 • Coastal Seas