A wonderful habitat for all sorts of interesting organisms.
Insects and a wide range of other organisms use the mounds for shelter, food and reproduction. One curious inhabitant is this small beefly, family Bombyliidae. We find it at night on the big mounds almost wherever we go.
Adult female Gyromantis sp.
This Paraoxypilus sp, probably kimberleyensis nymph was found on the ground amidst burnet twigs and leaves where it was almost invisible. (Thanks Graham)
We frequently encounter mantispids. They look like mantids in the development of the forelegs and their posture. They use the forelegs in much the same way as do mantids. But they are completely unrelated to mantids. The undergo a complete metamorphosis and are members of the insect order Neuroptera. Mantids are orthopteroid insects and undergo gradual metamorphosis.
Mantispids go through an egg, larva and pupal stage before becoming adult. The larval stages of these insects are parasitises of beetles, bees, wasps and even spiders.
Spring and summer is a good time to look for grasshoppers in mixed woodlands.
The above appears to be a species of Peakesia.
This grasshopper is a female of possibly Goniaeoidea.
Goniaea furcifera (Walker) is called the Tropical Gumleaf Grasshopper and is fairly common where it occurs.
One major purpose for the trip to the bush was to obtain additional photos for the Guidebook to Australian Crickets which is being prepared. With over 400 described species and at least that many unnamed ones, the task is not easy. This coupled with the fact that most crickets are secretive and require a great deal of patience and stealth to find them. As a result the general photographer does not encounter these insects very often.
Adult Tree Crickets feed on pollen and the particulate matter they find on grass leaves and stems. As nymphs they consume small insects as well.
On a deeply furrowed and old eucalypt we found a group of cricket nymphs residing during the day in the cracks of the bark. They were remarkably protectively-coloured. These are last instars. That is, the next moult will reveal the adult.
Myara wintrena is a colourful cricket that has seldom been seen or photographed. Yet it is very common where it occurs.
Male Salmanites commence calling in late afternoon and continue until just after dark. They are highly ventriloquial. That means they can sound like they are singing "here" but they are really over "there". They can be frustrating to capture as they live on the ground in leaf litter and move swiftly through the anastomosing twigs and stems to escape.
Salmanites sp, probably allaris, female. Note the long ovipositor.
We conclude with a gorgeous little cricket called Pictorina kobarina Otte and Alexander. This cricket can be found along with species of Salmanites and nymphs of Myara but it is the least common of the three. Males have a pleasant call that begins after dark, usually after the Salmanites cease their calling.
We are lucky to have such a diverse insect fauna. Next time we will document a synchronised emergence of two cicada species.