Introducing New Zealand's latest Bug of the Year- the magnificent Ngāokeoke or Velvet Worm!
These amazing, ancient creatures were around long before the dinosaurs, and are taxonomically considered close relatives of Arthropods and Tardigrades. They have a unique method pf prey capture - using a pair of glue-gun organs on their heads to immobilise prey with a shower of sticky glue.
Aotearoa has two genera of velvet worms: one lays eggs (Ooperipatellus, 1st photo) and the other gives live birth (Peripatoides, 2nd). Oh, and to mate, males deposit sperm onto the skin of their partner, which then burrow through the female's skin and migrate throughout their blood to be stored in special uterine tubes until needed!
Truly remarkable creatures and well-deserving of their new title!
#SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #Entomology #Macrophotography #Invertebrates #Nature #NaturePhotography
These amazing, ancient creatures were around long before the dinosaurs, and are taxonomically considered close relatives of Arthropods and Tardigrades. They have a unique method pf prey capture - using a pair of glue-gun organs on their heads to immobilise prey with a shower of sticky glue.
Aotearoa has two genera of velvet worms: one lays eggs (Ooperipatellus, 1st photo) and the other gives live birth (Peripatoides, 2nd). Oh, and to mate, males deposit sperm onto the skin of their partner, which then burrow through the female's skin and migrate throughout their blood to be stored in special uterine tubes until needed!
Truly remarkable creatures and well-deserving of their new title!
#SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #Entomology #Macrophotography #Invertebrates #Nature #NaturePhotography
