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| Mr. Tiddlywinks |
Mr. Tiddlywinks is a prime young specimen of, presumably, the Sparganophilus genus. They are native to North America and characterized by their long thin bodies. These are true earthworms (segmented, slightly "hairy," and girdled) and they dwell in mud near a consistent supply of water. Naturally, due to an earthworm's complex vascular system they usually aim themselves downwards in the soil, eating the organic matter below and placing their posteriors nearer the surface where there is potentially more oxygen to absorb through their skin, which can range in color from dark brown to pinkish to even green and blue. Another interesting thing to note is that earthworms are hermaphrodites and some (not all) species have some amazing regenerative properties.
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| Bernard |
There is a very strong possibility that Bernard is a Mythimna unipuncta larva; that is, a caterpillar that will eventually become a White-Speck Moth. These moths are common worldwide, except in Austalia and Siberia, and feed on a variety of grasses. The True Armyworms can grow up to 35mm and usually overwinter (cease activity and feeding and wait out the cold or dry conditions), metamorphosing in Spring.
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| Professor Pea Body |
Professor Pea Body certainly has a body smaller than a pea, but this is typical of the often 3mm long dark Argentine ants that have invaded the Southern Californian landscape, far from their South American homes. Linepithema humile has become the predominant ant species in many Mediterranean climates over the past decade. In fact, these ants have spread to six continents and numerous islands. Argentine ants don't compete with other colonies of the same species, which allows them to quickly form "supercolonies," start new colonies with one queen and several workers, and bother the heck out of the humans that unintentionally spread them around the globe. The ants have chewing mouth parts with mandibles and even a tongue for liquid. They have distinct, elbowed geniculate antennae and two nodes behind their thorax, giving them a waist that many a female would be jealous of.
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