Check Out Those Bug Femurs! - Observation of the Week, 6/18/24

Our Observation of the Week is this Anoplocnemis curvipes bug, seen in Kenya by @ndanganga!

“I became interested in nature at a young age (around 8 years) mostly due to spending time out in the fields taking care of my family's herd of cattle,” says Kariuki Ndang'ang'a, who grew up in Kenya.

With other boys I adventured a lot into the then almost intact countryside which had a lot of wild berries to eat, trees to climb, as well as mammals, birds and other animals to describe and hear stories about. Eventually I chose a “Wildlife Management” university degree and since then I've not stopped. I am particularly interested in ornithology/ study and conservation of birds, and have written a lot about my bird research. However for the last almost 20 years I have been working in a bird conservation NGO on conservation projects, programmes and leadership. Despite my bird specialisation, I still find myself looking at other forms of fauna and flora.

Lately, Kariuki tells me, he’s become interested in photographing odd plants and insects. “Not that I can identify them,” he explains, “but there is fun in placing a picture in inaturalist and getting suggestions of the taxa's identity from other people.”

One morning, Kariuki was walking around his fruit and vegetable garden,

appreciating how green it has suddenly become following recent rains, and suddenly among the weeds I noticed this strange bug!! As expected I took a picture on my phone and loaded it on iNaturalist, only to realise hours later that it had been chosen as the Observation of the Day. I couldn't help but share a screen shot of the X post on my WhatsApp update.

Anoplocnemis curvipes is a species in the leaf-footed bug family (Coreidae), most of which suck sap from plants. Quite a few species, like this one, have enlarged femurs, and many have “leaf-like” growths on the tibia of their hind legs. Anoplocnemis curvipes is known as a pest of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), a common crop in Africa.

Kariuki (above) has been on iNat for a few years and tells me he uses it

for quickly identifying and learning about interesting plants and animals (especially invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles) I bump into during my day to day activities. iNaturalist has changed the way I interact/see the natural world by increasing my curiosity for anything I see around me.

(Photo of Karikuki by George Ndung'u)

- take a look at the amazing diversity and beauty of the coreids!

- this Southern African frogleg leaf beetle also has some enlarged femurs!

Posted on June 18, 2024 10:19 PM by