I was attracted by the fruiting bodies on the lichen and then spotted the holes. In UK they would have been the larvae chambers of species of solitary bees - about the same size too. It took some research to learn the are the larvae chambers of Tiger Beetles but the latvae are not sealed in.
This internet blogpost (by Ruud Kleinpaste - well known in NZ as "the bug man" following the success of his radio show "Ruud's Awakening") dishes the dirt on Tiger Beetles and their strange tunnels: https://treesthatcount.co.nz/blog/investigate-with-ruud-tiger-beetles
Cute little gardens around their doorways.ðŸ«
I must Google our garden holes. There are quite large ones wherever the earth is dry and brown. I've always assumed they're made by ants but maybe not
ReplyDeleteTiger beetle art? They are rather beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link. What fascinating little creatures. Did you stay around to see them come back up?
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteWhat interesting little critters... and yes, they sure do have a lovely 'garden'! YAM xx
Well I can see where the fairy stories have come from. Those little pink bubbles and the tiny fairy door.
ReplyDeletefirst thought was, at least its not TIGERS.. ha ha.. interesting photos
ReplyDeleteYou seem to have a large community of tiger beetles. Have you tried the straw fishing trick yet? (Of course, you've got nothing better to do . . . )
ReplyDeleteIt always amazes me how perfectly cylindrical little crawlies make their homes, nests, etc!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful lichen views!
OMCs what a most interesting post.. I have never heard of Tiger beetles. If we humans could work together like insects....can you imagine what we could accomplish
ReplyDeleteHappy Nature Friday
Hugs Cecilia
I do'nt think I've ever seen those...
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have either. I had to go and do some serious research to find out what they were.
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