Friday, July 16, 2010

Jaws

I found this divine flying creature on the sidewalk.
I almost mistook it for a leaf.

I'm calling it Jaws because I have no idea what it is.
Look at the pincers. Or is it a mighty mandible?

The pattern in the wings is so subtle and beautiful.
It is about three inches long. Any ideas?
See more pictures on flickr.
***
A little update:
thanks to flickr friends 
this is a female dobsonfly!

15 comments:

  1. Someone just identified it for me on flickr ... it is a dobsonfly!

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  2. If it were bigger it could have been one of those strange, flying creatures seen in movies like Avatar.

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  3. Is this an invader from overseas? Add him to your collection Holly!

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  4. I've never seen anything like that. He looks like he's part ocean creature. A dobsonfly - I'm going to have to keep my eyes open for one.

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  5. I was just looking at vials for my little treasures - I need to do a little bug collecting research as my last find - a luna moth was infested with ants and I had to get rid of it.

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  6. One person's divine creature is anothers abject squishable horror!!

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  7. he is fearsome whatever he/she is. great find. beautiful in a prehistoric way.

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  8. Laura, fearsome, now there's a fabulous word!

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  9. Oh my, insects are very fascinating but if that landed on me I'm not sure what I would do. Probably not something very graceful or charming.

    Very very cool specimen for your collection.

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  10. Nature is just so amazing but honestly this makes my skin crawl!
    Reckon your interpretation will be everso slightly more charming...

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  11. Thank you all for stopping by! Have a lovely evening!

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  12. Wow, I had to Google a 'dobsonfly' as it's not a critter that has made its way to UK shores. I love the wiki description - that they are named 'the king bug" because of their intimidating tusks and kingly features. Marvellous!

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