Bugs Alive

Although the drought has devastated our sources of diving beetles, we have a neat population of Needle Bugs in the aquatic display currently. These look and behave like underwater Praying Mantids. A Needle Bug typically clings to and underwater plant or suspends itself upside down beneath the surface (breathing through the tube that extends from the tip of its abdomen) and waits for prey to swim by. Like the mantid, it can extend its strong front legs to snare the prey. Our Needle Bugs are satisfying their hunger with backswimmers.

Needlebug in aquatic display Photo: Luke Simpkin Source: Museum Victoria

Forest Gallery

The Eastern Tiger Snake is on display and showing himself best during warm afternoons and other times when the sun shines directly into the enclosure. Tiger Snakes typically avoid contact with humans preferring to hide or slither away when they feel the vibrations of approaching footsteps. The Tiger Snake on display can be completely hidden within its two square metres of enclosed space, so you can appreciate how often you are walking close by to hidden snakes unaware that they are there, when you are walking out walking in the bush. This time of the year it is wise to be watchful and keep well clear of any snakes you do see out basking.

Tiger Snake basking Photo: Luke Simpkin Source: Museum Victoria

Tree Ferns are extending lush new fronds skywards at this time of the year. The Satin Bower Birds seem to prefer nesting in the crown of the tall Rough Tree Fern Cyathea australis next to the boardwalk while the smaller birds use the fibrous trunk and roots of the Soft Tree Ferns Dicksonia Antarctica to build their nests.

Soft tree Fern sprouting new growth Photo: Luke Simpkin Source: Museum Victoria

Honeybees

The daughter colony and its new queen have settled quickly into pollen packing and larvae production. The six week life span of the workers has caused numbers to drop off in the last two weeks however we should shortly be seeing new adults emerging from the brood cells.

Milarri Garden

Water Ribbon Triglochin growing in the upper end of the creek is flowering at the moment. The tall flower stems look great and are used as a food source- the white base of the flower stems taste like celery. Burgan Kunzea ericoides shrubs are also flowering. Despite the fact that we’ve had an extremely dry Spring this year, Milarri is still looking its best.

Water Ribbon Photo: Luke Simpkin Source: Museum Victoria