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Youth fascination with technology

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December 21st, 2023

Varied Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus verbasci)

Distribution: Cosmopolitan; found throughout North America and Europe, as well as the Near East, North Africa, South America and northern and eastern Asia.

Habitat: Most commonly found on flowers, as well as plant and animal-based materials; common indoors, in houses, flour mills, warehouses and attics, as well as under siding, and in bat roosts and bird nests.

Diet: Larvae feed on natural fibres, such as keratin and chitin, including dead animals and insects, animal hair, feathers, natural fibres like silk, wool, leather and cotton, carpet fibres, linens, napkins, curtains and other household items, as well as stored food. Adults feed on the pollen and nectar from flowering plants.

Description: While they are pretty in their adult form, varied carpet beetles are serious pests inside homes, universities and museums. Their caterpillar-like larvae have been known to decimate biological collections belonging to museums and universities, and due to their extremely varied diet, they're known to wind up fairly frequently inside houses.

The varied carpet beetle was the first insect studied for its circannual cycle, with environmental conditions controlling larval development, which may last up to two years. Temperature seems to be the most limiting factor to larval development, but relative humidity and food availability may also play important roles.

Images by Jean-Raphaël Guillaumin (adult) and André Karwath (larva)

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Cherries in Crystal - Cindy Welch , 2005.

American , b. 1948 -

Watercolour , 16 x 20 in.

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herons, trout and thistle

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Another Vaejovis carolinianus molted to 3i!

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Lichen-mimic orbweaver, Araneus seminiger, Araneidae

Found primarily in Taiwan and Japan

Photos 1-3 by muyaocraft, 4 by pochung, 5 by papilioshih, 6-8 by dhugallindsay, and 9 (for scale) by jamesmifan

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Pelecinus polyturator. This wasp in is my top five favourites!

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This little gem is the tangerine darter (Percina aurantiaca). Open your eyes to other beauties like this found in the waters of North America in this week’s article: The Beauty in your Backyard!

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Flat fuck Friday

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a whole bunch of gazan mutual aid projects and nonprofits. if the decision of which individual fundraiser to give to feels too daunting, or if you just want to help as many people as possible in one go, these are great initiatives to support.

care for gaza - focuses on providing food and essential supplies. donate here or here.

connecting humanity - securing internet access via donations of virtual sim cards (esims). if you can't afford a whole plan yourself, crips for esims is a communal pool that will use your donation to purchase and maintain esims

gaza soup kitchen - provides food, medical care, and classes for children. also has a gofundme

glia gaza medical support initiative - provides medical care through field clinics and tents at hospitals. donations can also be sent through their website.

ele elna elak - provides clean water, food, clothing, and shelter. they also have a gofundme

life for gaza - raising money for the gaza municipality to repair water and waste management infrastructure

taawon - partners with local civil organizations to provide food, water, medical care, shelter, and basic supplies

the sameer project - running various initiatives providing tents, medical care, and necessities. they have their own encampment project focused on sheltering families with children, sick and disabled members, or members in need of perinatal care

islamic relief worldwide's gaza emergency appeal - provides food, water, hygiene kits, medical supplies, and psychological support

baitulmaal - provides a variety of necessities, including food, water, shelter, and medical supplies

gaza mutual aid fund - distributes food, hygiene products, water, and other essential supplies, including financial support. run by @/el-shab-hussein's amazing friend Mona. updates can be found on her instagram.

hygiene kits for gaza - provides hygiene supplies including menstrual products, wipes, and toothbrushes/toothpaste

anera - provides a variety of necessities, including food, water, hygiene supplies, medicine, blankets and mattresses, and psychological care

palestine children's relief fund - provides supplies and support with a focus on children. also has an initiative for lebanon

dahnoun mutual aid - provides water, food, tents, baby supplies, financial support, and other necessities. updates can be found through their instagram

certainly this is not an exhaustive list, so please feel free to add on other projects or organizations that i didn't include. and as always, please take the time to donate if you can and share. it truly makes all the difference.

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This dog was documented chasing a 'Kakao Maps' street view camera around a small South Korean island, it is featured in more than 1000 images of the island.

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National Geographic: A Real Bug’s Life (2024) photog. Georgi Georgiv

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Moutain Redbelly Dace Chrosomus oreas. Male top, female bottom. (by Tom Watson)

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Black-barred Crayfish (Cambarus unsestami)

Occurs in freshwater in the SE United States.

photo: Guenter Schuster, Eastern Kentucky University (retired)

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why miserable...

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Girl that is rare and beautiful..(Echinopla striata)

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The wind will tear through your heart