Christmas Bells

Christmas Bells
Christmas Bells - Blandfordia nobilis

Friday, April 08, 2011

A final look at the Mystery Blue Fungus (Entoloma)

I had been promising to go back to Granite Falls. The full reason for this trip will be revealed tomorrow, but for today, here is the full look at the critical diagnostic features of Entoloma virescens
Entoloma virescens - fading slowly, damaged cap.

Entoloma virescens - blue gills, coarse, brown spores
While we were at Granite Falls, we also came across this little Skink. It had run out into the very shallow water running over the granite rock bed.
Skink on thin branch over creek bed
Skink with Insect - probably a wasp
I have looked at this insect as closely as I can, and from the shape of its wings, I think it is a Wasp. In the field, I was inclined to say it might have been a flying Ant.***
Christopher Taylor has kindly told me it was indeed an Ant. He said:
"The insect is indeed an ant (which is, after all, a type of wasp). You can see the two horns on the narrow segment joining the front and back parts of the body that identify it as such. Specifically, I'd guess that it was a young queen; the male ants that I've seen have all been more slender."

3 comments:

Flabmeister said...

Denis

I am not sure I can wait until tomorrow. In the age of Twitter and Facebook I expect immediate gratification of my selfish need for information!

In reality such thinking is why i won't go near either of those with a disinfected bargepole!

Nice pictures as always. I keep forgetting to take my mirror with me so have had some fair difficulty in getting shots of the underside of fungi.

Martin

Denis Wilson said...

Hi Martin
A hint. It will reveal Pterostylis daintreana.
Patience is a virtue - didn't you Mum ever tell you that?
Denis

Denis Wilson said...

Hi Christopher
Many thanks.
Given the relatively poor quality of the image, you have done well.
A question of knowing what to look for, and having an expert eye.
Excellent work. Your contribution to my Blog is appreciated. Thanks
Denis