Its a wonder how organisms travel around the world. The world is a much smaller place these days, and goods and consequently organisms travel far and wide, ending up places we never imagined.
The other day I felt a strange sensation, the sort you get after you've been hiking during tick season, whether you have any on you or not. When it persisted I checked further and was startled to find I had a small insect on me, something we don't see often this time of the year. When I plucked it off, I was really startled when it made a buzzing hum, seemingly a defense mechanism. I saved it and began the long process of trying to figure out what kind of animal it was.
It took awhile but the defensive hum was indeed diagnostic and I found it was a species belonging to a small, relatively little known genus of bugs, with only two species. While commonly known as Hum Beetles, they are actually a True Bug, related to Stink Bugs, Assassin Bugs and the like. The two species apparently make their homes on and in the fur of mammals, feeding on dead skin, parasites and detritus. As one of the species preferred hosts are African antelope, and the other's sheep it is unlikely that they would be found naturally in the Arctic. I have no idea how they would end up here, nor how it came to be crawling on me but as I trying to figure out which particular species it was, I again felt the sensation and found a second one on me.
Although they are very similar species, there are enough distinguishing characteristics to tell the two apart and a little bit further digging on the internet helped to determine that it was the species that prefer sheep, Facinicus chasdickensii. Yes, I have an infestation of Baa Hum Bugs.
Merry Christmas to all of you, and I hope your year is filled with contentment, peace and joy.
Comments
12 responses
Merry Christmas to you and your family…and sending you best wishes for 2010-may all your hopes, wishes and dreams come true!!
Wow.
Ha! Baa Hum Bugs, indeed!
Merry Christmas to you too, Clare!
Kia ora Clare,
Merriest of the seasons wishes to you and yours as well. Thanks for your excellent place here.
Cheers,
Robb
Hahahahaha!!! You really had me going! Merry Christmas, you wonderful man! 🙂
Ditto Fawn’s comment. MC!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Good story, clare. I was wondering why you didn’t post a photo of the little humming beast! Wishing you and yours a very merry christmas.
Ha ha ha! Merry Christmas to you too.
Merry Christmas Clare! I hope it’s a good one for you and your family.
Heehee. Good one, Clare; I was totally believing right up to the second-to-last sentence. Hope your family had an enjoyable and relaxing holiday!
Thanks all. Hope your Christmas was merry and joy filled.