murray_dawson's Favorites
Photos / Sounds
Observer
stephen_thorpeDescription
Albert Park, Auckland CBD. On Ficus macrophylla. Many wasps on syconia, ovipositing.
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Port Jackson Fig Wasp (Pleistodontes imperialis)Observer
stephen_thorpeDescription
Locality: NEW ZEALAND AK, suburb of Mount Wellington/Otahuhu, Mount Richmond Domain.
Habitat: Ficus rubiginosa. Common on underside of leaves.
Identification: Pleistodontes imperialis Saunders, 1882. Females.
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Figs (Genus Ficus)Observer
simcockrDescription
Maybe - or the other self-establishing canopy changer that will be a weed disaster in native remnant forests… more commonly found on Phoenix palms in the central suburbs
Three closeups added feb 2022. Leaf blade 70 to 110 mm long (part shade) and petiole 30 to 40mm ;
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Observer
stephen_thorpeDescription
Albert Park, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010. On Ficus macrophylla.
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Genus AthoracophorusObserver
invertebratistDescription
Native bush, on the vegetation (New Zealand Cabbage Tree (Cordyline australis)) at night.
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Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae)Observer
carey-knox-southern-scalesDescription
In terms of moth uploads, I am currently 16 days (and A LOT of moths!) behind real-time. Only my 3rd day at home this December. So... we are still on my way up to Kahurangi National Park. Here is an interesting batch from a night at Lake Rotoroa (Nelson Lakes) in the beech forest and adjoining shrubland.
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North Island Kaka (Nestor meridionalis ssp. septentrionalis)Observer
christopherstephens
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Euterpina acutifronsObserver
blogmanDescription
A small unidentified copepod approx 0.7mm long in surface plankton haul off Tiritiri Matangi Island.
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Myrtle Rust (Austropuccinia psidii)Observer
jephsonDescription
possible Myrtle Rust
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Beauveria bassianaObserver
pjd1Description
Parasitic on Amphipsalta zelandica - seven hosts noted dead on track side.
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Northern Common Robber Fly (Neoitamus melanopogon)Observer
helenmackyDescription
A head-on view showing the big compound eyes.
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Coprosma (Genus Coprosma)Observer
nikkowDescription
Verigated type leaf. Very pretty
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Two-spined Spider (Poecilopachys australasia)Observer
pjd1Description
Noted on Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica).
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Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris)Observer
john_barklaDescription
Common, in coastal grassland
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New Zealand Vegetable Bug (Glaucias amyoti)Observer
jacqui-nzDescription
On Coprosma robusta.
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Australasian Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo ssp. novaehollandiae)Observer
grahame
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Myrtle Rust (Austropuccinia psidii)Observer
pjd1Description
Severe infestation - one of the worst I have ever seen on this host species. Two planted tree's growing on margin of spring; these 5-6 tall. All young growth and especially floral primordia and maturing inflorescences covered in urediniospores.
Bees (Apis mellifera) noted harvesting spores - see https://inaturalist.nz/observations/68580488.
These tree's I have been watching monthly since September 2017. I last checked them on 1 January 2021 (not Austropuccinia was evident then). This infestation was reported to me by Wendy John who noted it on 23 January 2021 - see https://inaturalist.nz/observations/68482642
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Eucalyptus Variegated Beetle (Paropsisterna cloelia)Observer
cleland_wallaceDescription
2 lots of larvae 2nd and 3rd instar
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Blue Damselfly (Austrolestes colensonis)Observer
petemcgregorDescription
Common along the upper, more open part of the track
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Leaf-veined Slugs (Family Athoracophoridae)Observer
sarah_richardsonDescription
I've seen similar slugs in the forest, but never in the alpine at 1600m. A v cool critter!
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Green and Golden Bell Frog (Ranoidea aurea)Observer
shaun-leeDescription
One of 25 seen around the lake. I have assumed they are all Green and golden bell frogs, but this one looks a bit more like a Southern bell frog?
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Anemone Stinkhorn Fungus (Aseroe rubra)Observer
petemcgregorDescription
About 20 m down the track from a cluster of these observed in early December. This one was attracting numerous blowflies.
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Canterbury Tree Weta (Hemideina femorata)Observer
ssw-burlgDescription
Adult female.
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Blue Lily (Agapanthus praecox)Observer
zlbcDescription
This display of Agapanthus was probably (though I don't know for sure) planted by the Westland District Council - unfortunately it is increasingly common as an escape in the wider environment.
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Green Cockscomb (Sedum praealtum)Observer
murray_dawsonDescription
Sedum praealtum (shrubby stonecrop). Harington Point / Ellison Road intersection, Otago Peninsula. © Murray Dawson
