Kagiso (grade 7) discovers a super weird waxy fulgorid bug.

The fragile, wax-like plumes are made from the extra carbohydrates found in plant sap. They are not part of the bugs actual body, thus if it is attacked they can break off and it can escape. Nymphs of many Fulgoroids can produce wax from glands on the abdomen they are hydrophobic and can help conceal the insects.

Injured microbat ( House bat, Scotophilus sp. ) rescued at school today by Mr Miguel

Other English names are "insectivorous bats", "echolocating bats", "small bats" or "true bats". All these names are somewhat inaccurate, because not all microbats feed on insects, and some of them are larger than small megabats (The fruit eaters). Please note,It is advisable not to pick up any bat without protective clothing because of the risk of diseases like rabies.

Gorgeous red-lipped visitor at school today.

The red lipped herald is a non venomous, and beautiful addition to any garden, it keeps the number of frogs down and keeps your ecosystem functioning. The name "Herald" is derived from it's first being described in the Eastern cape Herald newspaper. That is, the existence of the snake was initially brought to the attention of the public in the Eastern Cape Herald newspaper.

Leptopelis natalensis (Green tree frog) at school today.

Found by Jonathan de Beer.

Longicorn (Cerambycidae) with the longest antennae that I have ever seen.

Found by Grade 7 at school today.

Hyperolius marmoratus, identified as genuine by Sri Kannan

Seen and verified in the TOK class by Sri Kannan. (It doesn't get better than that).

Amietophrynus garmani (the Eastern Olive toad) mating.

A host of Theriid spiders (Button or Widow family) on our favorite fever tree.

Pyxicephalus edulis

The edible bullfrog (Pyxicephalus edulis) is a species of frog in the Ranidae family. It is found in Botswana,  Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique,South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe in our area. 

Oriental bee hawk (Cephonodes hylas) found by Gabby on the steps leading up to Portuguese class

 The pellucid hawkmoth is diurnal and found in Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia. It may be feeding on Vangueria and Gardenia plants here in Maputo region. Well done Gabby.

Dr Pops finds a fugitive from the Sun.

 Solifuges, literally fugitives from Sol (the Sun) are also known as camel spiders, sun spiders and red romans. They are found in hot dry places and run very quickly to get into the shade. They are not true spiders, they have two chelicerae each with two articles (segments, parts connected by a joint) forming a powerful pincer. Spiders have only two sharp points, solifuges have four. They do not possess venom glands.

Well done to Dr Pops for finding this beauty, notice the four sharp points in the above photo.

Stunning lantern bug (Fulgoridae) at school today

This beaut was found outside the auditorium. What a nose!!!!

Cerambycidae (Long horned beetle) outside the auditorium at school today.

Don't worry grade 6 you don't have to classify these new ones. Mr L.

Mystaria (the little spider) takes out the giant fly at Moholoholo.

Possible hadogenes? at Moholoholo.

Platysphinx piabilis @ Maholoholo South Africa.

Same individual frog (Chiromantis)