#and amazing fact

[artifacts-and-arthropods]

Yellowjacket-Mimicking Moth: this is just a harmless moth that mimics the appearance and behavior of a yellowjacket/wasp; its disguise is so convincing that it can even fool actual wasps

This species (Myrmecopsis polistes) may be one of the most impressive wasp-mimics in the world. The moth's narrow waist, teardrop-shaped abdomen, black-and-yellow patterning, transparent wings, smooth appearance, and folded wing position all mimic the features of a wasp. Unlike an actual wasp, however, it does not have any mandibles or biting/chewing mouthparts, because it's equipped with a proboscis instead, and it has noticeably "feathery" antennae.

There are many moths that use hymenopteran mimicry (the mimicry of bees, wasps, yellowjackets, hornets, and/or bumblebees, in particular) as a way to deter predators, and those mimics are often incredibly convincing. Myrmecopsis polistes is one of the best examples, but there are several other moths that have also mastered this form of mimicry.

Above: Pseudosphex laticincta, another moth species that mimics a yellowjacket

These disguises often involve more than just a physical resemblance; in many cases, the moths also engage in behavioral and/or acoustic mimicry, meaning that they can mimic the sounds and behaviors of their hymenopteran models. In some cases, the resemblance is so convincing that it even fools actual wasps/yellowjackets.

Above: Pseudosphex laticincta

Such a detailed and intricate disguise is unusual even among mimics. Researchers believe that it developed partly as a way for the moth to trick actual wasps into treating it like one of their own. Wasps frequently prey upon moths, but they are innately non-aggressive toward their own fellow nest-mates, which are identified by sight -- so if the moth can convincingly impersonate one of those nest-mates, then it can avoid being eaten by wasps.

Above: Pseudosphex laticincta

I gave an overview of the moths that mimic bees, wasps, yellowjackets, hornets, and bumblebees in one of my previous posts, but I felt that these two species (Myrmecopsis polistes and Pseudosphex laticincta) deserved to have their own dedicated post, because these are two of the most convincing mimics I have ever seen.

Above: Pseudosphex sp.

I think that moths in general are probably the most talented mimics in the natural world. They have so many intricate, unique disguises, and they often combine visual, behavioral, and acoustic forms of mimicry in order to produce an uncanny resemblance.

Several of these incredible mimics have already been featured on my blog: moths that mimic jumping spiders, a moth that mimics a broken birch twig, a moth caterpillar that can mimic a snake, a moth that disguises itself as two flies feeding on a pile of bird droppings, a moth that mimics a dried-up leaf, a moth that can mimic a cuckoo bee, and a moth that mimics the leaves of a poplar tree.

Moths are just so much more interesting than people generally realize.

Sources & More Info:

Journal of Ecology and Evolution: A Hypothesis to Explain Accuracy of Wasp Resemblances

Entomology Today: In Enemy Garb: A New Explanation for Wasp Mimicry

iNaturalist: Myrmecopsis polistes and Pseudosphex laticincta

Transactions of the Entomological Society of London: A Few Observations on Mimicry

[six-tooth]

I can't believe we got a canon funnybunny interaction

[ohmaerieme]

did anyone else think the exit-door office scene was the stanley parable or was that just me.

[flwrkid14]

Casual Chaos: Tim Drake’s Makeup Stream

Danny, known to the internet as Nebula, had been teasing a special stream for weeks. Fans were buzzing with excitement and theories, especially when the announcement popped up: “Doing My Boyfriend’s Makeup!” Naturally, the chat erupted into chaos. Danny was pretty private about his love life, so this reveal had the fandom on edge.

When the stream finally went live, Danny greeted his audience with his usual laid-back grin. “Okay, today’s the day. Let’s see if I’m any good at this,” he said, spinning a makeup brush between his fingers. “But first, let me introduce you to my boyfriend.”

The camera panned, and there he was—Tim Drake, sitting there as if this was the most normal thing in the world. No big introduction, no fanfare. Just Tim, giving a small, nonchalant wave.

“WAIT. IS THAT TIM DRAKE???”

“Like… THE Tim Drake??”

“No way he’s dating Nebula, what is happening???”

Danny, fully aware of the chaos brewing in the comments, didn’t even acknowledge it. He just turned to Tim. “Ready for your makeover, babe?”

Tim shrugged, totally calm. “Let’s do it.”

As Danny started applying makeup, the chat kept freaking out, but the two of them acted like it was just another Saturday. In Gotham, though, it was a different story. The Bat's group chat was blowing up:

Dick: “TIMOTHY JACKSON DRAKE-WAYNE, EXPLAIN YOURSELF.”

Jason: “How does a nerd like you land Nebula of all people???”

Steph: “I AM CRYING. HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS?!!”

Damian: “This is unacceptable. Drake, I demand an explanation.”

Bruce: [Typing…]

But Tim? Unfazed. He ignored the constant buzzing of his phone and sat still as Danny carefully lined his eyes and added a touch of mascara, keeping up casual chatter with the stream.

“You know,” Danny said, holding up a shade of lipstick, “Tim’s got this effortless model thing going on. I’m just enhancing what’s already there.”

Tim raised an eyebrow, smirking. “I didn’t exactly sign up to be your runway star.”

“Wait… he’s actually REALLY pretty??”

“Tim Drake is hot, confirmed.”

“LOOK AT HIS CHEEKBONES OMG.”

As Danny finished the look, adding some extra blush and a light gloss, the reaction was immediate. The chat was losing it. Tim glanced at himself in the mirror, barely reacting. “Well… I don’t hate it.”

Danny leaned back, admiring his work. “Not bad, right?”

Meanwhile, back in Gotham, the bats were still going wild.

Steph: “Tim, you better show up to every gala looking like this from now on.”

Jason: “You’ve been holding out on us with this face, man.”

Dick: “This is ICONIC.”

Bruce: “We’ll need to discuss this later.”

Tim finally glanced at his phone and snorted at all the messages. “They’re never going to let this go, are they?”

Danny just grinned at the camera. “Probably not. So… next time, you'll do my makeup, right?”

The chat, of course, exploded all over again.

[azherwind-art]

"Tell your favorite creators that you like their work, people usually enjoy things silently, but hate tends to be loud"

This is a phrase I just heard from Dnd shorts that captures perfectly why I often try to make the effort of commenting on posts and telling people that I enjoy their work and why Even to small creators, I advice everyone to make the extra effort to tell them, I can guarantee it makes all the difference in the world, it's not cringy or obnoxious, it'll just brighten someone's day

[isnt-it-too-dreamy]

you have been visited by the sixteen ghosts of neujahrsansprachen past. 🎆✨️ may you receive a very new year & find your signature fashion style in 2025.

[purr-facts]

The ancestor of all domestic cats is the African Wild Cat which still exists today.

[xofemeraldstars]

9-1-1 -> 2x16 ❝ bobby begins again ❞

+ bonus: after finally meeting many years later

[cowboylikeyouu]

in germany, chris evan‘s roles (including steve) are mostly voiced by dennis schmidt-foß, but as johnny storm he‘s voiced by benedikt weber, and it made for a really cool moment during dp&w. bc wade’s super convinced that he‘s steve, but all the german people who watch the german dub of marvel movies religiously are already like huh??? bc that‘s NOT steve rogers‘ voice, and then when it’s revealed that he‘s actually johnny, wade‘s like "ah yeah, i should’ve known from the voice". and idk, it’s not hilarious or anything, but it just made me soo happy that they used wade‘s 4th wall breaks differently in different languages. just felt the need to share this

[hansoeii]

It's the end of an era!! I've upgraded my icon!! I understand if we all need a second to grieve...

[gl1tched-r4bb1t]

Facts about TADC from the AMA with Gooseworx!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As a member in the Glitch Inn, I got privilege to watch an interview and ask questions to Gooseworx!

I normally don’t spoil things from The Glitch INN as respect people wishing to keep it exclusive to the members (including myself!). However, when it came to the AMA, I feel like knowledge like this isn’t as exclusive and will be public knowledge anyways!

• Goose always imagined Gummigoo was Pineapple-Lime flavored

• Gangle loves to draw (we’ll see more of it in Ep 3)

•Ragatha likes horror movies!

•Jax’s favorite website is 4Chan

•Jax has a lot of Goose’s personal flaws put into him

•Ragatha might be able to see out of her button eyes, but Goose didn’t really know a definite answer for it

•“Loo-lee-lah-loo” is how you pronounce Princess Loolilalu’s name.

•Episode 6 will explore how the personalities of the cast have changed upon being in the digital world

•The Canonical reason Caine and Bubble do anything is because they think it’s comical/Funny

•Episode 5 will reveal how Kinger and Zooble eat (a bite just appears taken out of the food )

•Pomnis favorite color is red! This will be confirmed by Pomni in episode 5

•Pomni was an accountant and that is significant to the plot

•Episode 7 got split into 2, as Goose wanted time to let the deep emotions settle in

•Episode 3 is very much NOT FOR YOUNGER KIDS!!! It’s psychological horror, and Goose believes it may scare younger audiences.

•Ragatha was originally going to be named Emmy, but Ragatha sounded better!!

•Episodes 1-5 have already been Animatic Boarded, they are working on the animatic for Ep 6

•Kid Pix was a huge inspiration for the 90’s-2000’s style of TADC (Kid Pix was created in 1989 and originally released on Macintosh, look it up and you can see the inspiration)

•TADC is NOT inspired by IHNMAIMS The Game - Goose has never seen the IHNMAIMS game, only read the short story and got inspired from that

•Goose actually got an Email from Glitch asking her to pitch them a pilot, and so she just built from there!

[six-tooth]

they've been ruining my life for a year now

[mywaywardcupcake]

Omfg. I need this. Immediately. Look at this beautiful thing!

It includes removable cards on the duel disk arm side! 10/10. Link to the sweater is here

[2022dirt]

For some people, scars can’t get dirty. Scar skin tissue isn’t like normal skin tissue, and it doesn’t regenerate with sweat glands. As a result, no dirt will stick to it.

[bananafire11]

Tadc..... dinosaurs.... tadc dinosaurs

[skellyjingles]

Jax is unnerved by the corn field adventure. Ragatha distracts him with horse facts.