Insects escaping flood

[ozwildlife]

We had some welcome heavy rain today (welcome in our part of Australia anyway) and the nearby creek rose quite a bit. I noticed this partly submerged branch with a heap of insects hanging on to a protruding twig to escape the rising water.



Does anyone know what the thing on the caterpillar's back at the bottom of the picture is?

[paul m]

Originally Posted by ozwildlife

............ Does anyone know what the thing on the caterpillar's back at the bottom of the picture is?

Could be a rove beetle (Staphylinidae)?

[goosey]

Interesting photo and to see so many types of insects in such a small area. There are actually 3 insects one the carepillars back - all with one purpose - survival! In all I think I can see 18 insects. I don't know what any of them are I am afraid, but I really like the image.
Good news about your rain - lack of rain is not a problem in Holland , getting it to stop sometimes is .

[Pudding4brains]

Hi All,

Nice shot of the "stick insects"

Last summer, after a hot but windy day I would often find many insects in a swimming pool in France and help the life once out. They made fair photo opportunities as they didn't move around much while drying (looked all a bit "soggy" though )

Larger individuals where generally used as life rafts by smaller critters - I hardly remember lifting any bee or bug out the pool without minute passengers.

This Protaetia cuprea carried at least twenty orso ...

Always thought most of the passengers to be Thrips-like thingies, but maybe shouldn't rule out very small Staphylinidae either???

[ozwildlife]

I'm not sure. These thread things at the bottom of the shot are coming out of its tail like branched cerci.