Dung beetles

All Dung beetles consisting of more than a few thousand species are from the Scarabaeoidea family and from here splits into a few other subfamilies. They are found on all continents except Antarctica. The following photos are of a Malaysian dung beetle (Gymnopleurus sp.) in action.

Their source of food consists partly or exclusively of faeces. Those that eat dung exclusively do not need to eat or drink anything else, because the dung provides all the necessary nutrients. Making the name, Dung Beetles somehow very appropriate, they are also known as Scarab beetle.
When Dung beetles comes across a piece of dung, it will roll the dung into a spherical ball which are then used as food, some species will bury the dung while another will just stay put where the dung is, living literally on it or in it.

It is truly amazing to observe how dung beetles roll its dung, without looking where it is going it somehow manages to roll the dung in a straight line with its hind legs. It is reported that some dung beetle navigates by using polarization patterns in moonlight but the example shown was rolling its dung in broad daylight. There is much to learn on how straight line navigation was achieved without the benefits of front sight.

Dung beetles, plays an important ecological role in nature by reducing fecal material in nature and in turn reducing the habitat for filth-breeding flies and are considered beneficial insects.

Monkey grasshopper

Not exactly a commonly seen grasshopper belonging to the Eumastacidae family. This colorful grasshopper commonly lives in tropical rain forest and has rather short antennas. Long hind legs are a characteristic of monkey grasshoppers giving them a powerful leap whenever the need arise.

Being colorful mostly but specimen that are somewhat plain can be found as shown in the first photo, it is most probably poisonous, the color being a warning that it is not safe to be eaten. When observe closely their body shape certainly stands out from the common grasshoppers we often see.



There are more than 1,000 different kinds of monkey grasshoppers. Generally, grasshoppers are scientifically categorized into two main groups. Long horn and short horn and this refer to the length of its antennae. The long horns have antennae that are about the length of their body while the short horns have it with less than half their body length. Grasshoppers are than further classified into their respective specific types.


While searching for information on grasshoppers, I have come across some interesting facts which some of you may find interesting.
1. Like all insects they are cold blooded, that could explain why they are more active during a warm sunny day.
2. They breathe through tiny holes called spiracles, in their abdomens as they do not have lungs.
3. Each individual has five eyes, two large compound and three simple eyes. Till today no one is sure how the tree simple eyes are used.
4. The antennae or feelers besides helping it to feel its way around are also used to smell things.

Spider of Malaysia - 1

St. Andrew’s Cross Spider (Agiope Versicolor)

A colorful spider with a reputation of building an attractive web with an extra structure called stabilimentum. This structure helps to attract more prey and perhaps also explains the hypothesis of it being bigger than a normal spider due to its ability of catching more food.

The extra web structure also resembles a cross which explains the common name, unfortunately the photo I have taken do not show the web in great detail.

Wide-Jawed Viciria (Viciria praemandibularis)

I am not too sure if I had identified this spider correctly but comparison of photos available of this species of spider with the specimen I took pictures of seem to suggest it at least comes from the genus Viciria.

According to Wikipedia, Viciria is a spider genus of the Salticidae jumping spider family

Ho Chi Minh City – My brief overview

It was a few days ago that due to unforeseen circumstances I was suddenly asked to stand in for someone scheduled to conduct a seminar presentation in Ho Chi Minh City and here I am, my first trip to The Socialist Republic of Vietnam unexpected and unplanned for.

I arrived in Tan Son Nhat International Airport on a hot afternoon with a cloudy overcast. While the plane was taxing to the airport, I couldn’t help but notice many mini hangars that can be seen along the way. About half of them are empty with the other half filled with military helicopters and plane. The contrast compared to the main airport building was huge.

As you step into the main airport building, it can give any other airport in terms of creature comfort and convenience a run for its money, however things took a turn as you step out to get a taxi. Chaos rules once outside, even my host was clearly embarrassed with the situation. Taxi with horns blaring was driving in and out, jumping queues and ignoring basic traffic rules picking up passengers who are not too sure which taxi should be taken. Surprisingly there seems to be uniformed people with walking talkies coordinating the whole thing.

If asked to drive in this city, I will not be capable enough nor have the guts to do it. All this while I thought only motorcyclist and drivers in Central Jakarta have suicidal tendencies but it appears that this is clearly not the case. With the haphazard driving style and motorbikes weaving in and out of traffic I wonder why some of the motorcyclist bothers to wear special mask for protection against the polluted environment, that in fact should be the least of their life threatening worries.
I somehow finally make it to the office in one piece and not a moment too soon, I was told I had just missed the hungry lunch crowd this must be my lucky day. After settling down, lunch was on the next agenda. My first introduction to authentic Vietnamese food, beef noodles.

The flavoring is not as strong as the ones available back home but the presentation, side dishes and condiment accompanying the noodles is somewhat different, I actually like it.
In the afternoon it was back to the office to have a discussion for tomorrow’s assignment, which took the better part of the day. Evening was a real culture shock, I was taken to have dinner in a Czech beer house, in the middle of urban Ho Chi Minh City, being serve Vietnamese food and imported Czech beer with German sounding beer drinking songs being played in the background.

I notice the Czech consulate also happen to be conveniently located in the same building.
All things must come to an end and I had to make my way back to Kuala Lumpur the next evening.