Feather-horned beetle, Wonthaggi Wetlands. Photos: Gayle Marien By Gayle Marien
I WAS in the Wonthaggi Wetlands Conservation Park with my camera in mid-March, searching the bushes for insects to photograph, when I came upon a feather-horned beetle in a swamp paperbark tree.
Although I’d seen pictures of these beetles, this was the first time I’d sighted one. Its shiny black back was covered in white spots, and its upper legs were orange, but it was the large feather-like antennae that made it spectacular. The males use these to locate female beetles for mating.
The beetle flew from one branch-tip to another, expertly balancing on the narrow needle-like leaves. It would land for a moment of quick exploration before taking off again.
I WAS in the Wonthaggi Wetlands Conservation Park with my camera in mid-March, searching the bushes for insects to photograph, when I came upon a feather-horned beetle in a swamp paperbark tree.
Although I’d seen pictures of these beetles, this was the first time I’d sighted one. Its shiny black back was covered in white spots, and its upper legs were orange, but it was the large feather-like antennae that made it spectacular. The males use these to locate female beetles for mating.
The beetle flew from one branch-tip to another, expertly balancing on the narrow needle-like leaves. It would land for a moment of quick exploration before taking off again.
Then, to my horror, it flew straight into the web of a leaf-curling spider. It was stuck. It struggled frantically, its legs thrusting and its body twisting.
Leaf-curling spiders make their home by hoisting a leaf on silk threads, curling it into a tube, and weaving a roof of silk to seal the top. The leaf is positioned centrally in the web, which forms a lovely pattern if the wind doesn't disturb it. The feather-horned beetle was trapped on the outer edge of the web.
Leaf-curling spiders make their home by hoisting a leaf on silk threads, curling it into a tube, and weaving a roof of silk to seal the top. The leaf is positioned centrally in the web, which forms a lovely pattern if the wind doesn't disturb it. The feather-horned beetle was trapped on the outer edge of the web.
Alerted by the vibrations of the beetle’s struggle, the spider emerged from its leaf. It quickly made its way to the edge, but to my surprise, on seeing the beetle, it did an about-turn and promptly retreated. The feather-horned beetle continued to struggle. Some of the threads of the web began to snap, and finally, the beetle freed itself.
The web was meant for smaller prey, and the beetle's weight and strength allowed it to break the silk threads and pull free. Feather-horned beetles are relatively large, ranging from ten to twenty-five millimetres in length. They are strong and have a hard exoskeleton. The spider must have sensed it was outmatched.
The feather-horned beetle disappeared as soon as it escaped, off to a safer place, no doubt. There was a large hole in the web where it had been trapped. Leaf-curling spiders routinely repair their webs overnight, so any sign of the struggle would be gone by the next morning. The encounter was a fleeting insight into the dramas that occur unseen in our bushlands and gardens.
The web was meant for smaller prey, and the beetle's weight and strength allowed it to break the silk threads and pull free. Feather-horned beetles are relatively large, ranging from ten to twenty-five millimetres in length. They are strong and have a hard exoskeleton. The spider must have sensed it was outmatched.
The feather-horned beetle disappeared as soon as it escaped, off to a safer place, no doubt. There was a large hole in the web where it had been trapped. Leaf-curling spiders routinely repair their webs overnight, so any sign of the struggle would be gone by the next morning. The encounter was a fleeting insight into the dramas that occur unseen in our bushlands and gardens.