Hi all again, another quick update for the last few weeks...

The heavy rains of the Wet season have made the area lovely and green:

These are the Goorganga Floodplains that Proserpine is situated on. For the birdwatchers: Comb-Crested Jacanas (Lotus Birds, Lily Trotters) Irediparra gallinacea have been seen here on the grass, as their usual lily-beds are well underwater. Barramundi have been crossing the road and cruising in the now-full ditches!

Rainforest meets the reef on Hook Island. Just thought I'd include it...

There  have been a few new species showing up lately.

The first is a Fiddler Beetle (Eupoecila australasiae.) This beetle is found in many parts of Australia, emerging in late summer to feed on blossoms, especially Eucalyptus and Agnophora flowers.

Secondly, Glaphyromorphus punctuatus, a skink with possibly no common name was seen scurrying across the driveway. This is a leaf-litter species that wriggles around in mulch and leaves looking for food. On flat ground, these skinks are fairly clumsy, thrashing as they run. This one has shut its eyes in preparation to burrow.

Third, a Ghost Moth (?)

And a really cool translucent moth...

As many of you know, I went south for my brother Andrew's 21st and sister Rebekah's wedding. While there, I encountered a few species that I am very familiar with.

Grub of the Cockchafer beetle. Mt Martha, Vic

This is a Mayfly. You may have seen mayflies in previous emails, but not in this form. Mayflies start their lives in the water as a nymph, feeding on plant matter usually. Some species feed on other animals. After up to a year or so, the nymph wriggles to the surface, splits its back and this creature emerges, sitting on the surface for ten seconds or so, before flying somewhere to rest. This is the first adult stage, called the "Dun" or "Sub-Imago." Mayflies are the only insects to have this stage. They are usually dull and camouflaged. In a few hours (or minutes with some species) they discard the sub-imago skin (even the skin covering the wings!) and head off to breed in their new bright colours. During the entire flying stage of the mayfly, they cannot feed, so die. This is all after a year or so underwater feeding on scum and finally making it to the surface to fly away, dying the same day they emerged. Tarago River, Victoria

This ant looks fearsome. Unlike many scary-looking things it is actually as mean as it looks. It is a Bull-ant, one of many Myrmecia species. The jaws are not the painful part, but the sting located in the abdomen. The jaws are used mostly for carrying things around. The sting is used for defence, and sometimes killing prey. This ant is a vegetarian though, but the young are carnivores. The sting is intense, like a red-hot needle. You're sure to learn a few new swear words after an encounter! This ant is also classed as the world's deadliest by some- the sting causes allergic reactions in more people than any other ant. Mt Martha, Victoria

I drove to Eildon on a nice foggy morning for some exploration in the cold mountain streams. Not much about this time. But I did get a couple of nice shots:

This is Eustacus armatus, the Murray Spiny Cray. Found throughout the cooler parts of the Murray-Darling system it is a big crustacean, the second largest in the world's freshwater next to the Tasmanian Freshwater Cray. The spines are very sharp, and the claws can reach right back, making this creature very hard to hold. They also hiss. Eildon, Victoria

Another enormous cray is found in the LaTrobe River in the Eastern Lakes catchment. I didn't find any of this species this time, but here is the lovely LaTrobe River and the Wet Sclerophyll forest that surrounds it:

I went frogging at the Briars Park in Mt Martha (Thanks Gary) and found some typical southern frog species:

Crinia signifera, the Common Froglet. It is only 2-3cm long and has a loud call like a ratchet clicking. This is the Lyrate form. Many Crinia Froglets have three forms, Smooth, Ridged (Ridges running down the back) and Lyrate (boomerang shaped ridges on shoulders.)

Limnodynastes tasmaniensis, the Spotted Marsh Frog. This frog is much bigger and boldly coloured in Victoria than in North Queensland. In the south of Victoria and Tas, their call is a single harsh click. Northern Vic and upwards, the call is three rapid clicks.

This is the abundant Southern Brown Tree Frog (Litoria ewingii) This frog is common in most habitats in Victoria. The call is a loud wavering "Creeeeeee creeee creee creee creee..."

...And the near-identical Verreaux's Tree Frog (Litoria verreauxii.) This differs in the more musical call, the yellow and black spotting on the sides and thin finger-pads.

Also seen were:

Common Ringtail Possums...

...Common Brushtail Possums...

...And a Short-Beaked Echidna.

Finally, I saw a few reptiles. I nearly caught a Lowland Copperhead snake, but it was too far ahead.

This is a Weasel Skink (Saproscincus mustelina,) a common garden inhabitant and southernmost of the Saproscincus group.

Although I have seen plenty of these in the past, I saw none this trip, so I borrowed one. It is a Blotched Blue Tongued Lizard (Tiliqua nigrolutea.)

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed these pictures, keep in contact. Stay tuned...

-Nathan Litjens

PS old emails are up on my website, so if you want to look at them again, see www.litjens.com.au