#ads_creatures

First off, a cicada that recently emerged from the ground and is looking for a place to molt.

I moved them away from our garage and over by a tree where I usually find cicada molts on.

Some of what I am pretty sure are Prenolepis imparis ants, there was a line of them going up the tree, probably collecting some tree sap. I tried following these ones to their nest but... I think they got lost as they all started fumbling around in this one spot after following the one that was in the lead laying a scent trail.

Another funky lil isopod. I think it's an Armadillidium, unsure if it's Vulgari or not but marking wise it looks ALOT like a P. Spinicornis with the lighter body, single row of yellow spots ( P. Spinicornis has 2 rows), and the dark brown/black head. However, unlike P. Spinicornis this one is a lot more convex, able to roll up, and has a smooth exoskeleton. (I did also find another P. Floria but no picture, the culture has mancae already though?!)

And something from earlier that day, I think it's an ant-mimic spider

Anyways here's some ants eating what I think is a worm?? I think it was a dead worm that got rehydrated by the rain... I've heard that's a favorite of smaller ants lol.

Next up a lil moth who posed very nicely uwu

Lastly are these odd stag beetle looking bugs, cookie if you can see them! I've never seen them before!

Saw this funky lil lady while walking my cat around outside. Just a little velvet ant!

Update on the dandelions I planted, they're growing!!

One on the left is onsite my Dwarf White culture and the other one is just a container of spagnum moss.

Was outside for a walk today, alas, too cold to find any bugs.

Buuuutttt

I did find some dandelion seeds! I've grown dandelions over winter before, they didn't flower but they did grow!

So I'm going to try growing some in a cup with some "used" spagnum moss (briefly used in a humidity box for my snake while I was regulating her bio active tank). I'm also curious as to what will happen if I put some seeds win with my springtails and dwarf white isopods. I had put some brown rice in with my springtails before and they all ended up sprouting so I'm wondering if I can get the same to happen! I'll probably replant them if they grow in with the springtails.

So I put some rice in with my spring tail culture as per the internets instructions so that it molds and feeds them... But uhh... The rice decided to sprout instead...