I took this photo of a butterfly last year in the Walter Sisulu Gardens in Roodepoort. Nothing too special about it, I thought. Just one of the hundred-odd butterfly LBJ’s (little blue jobs). But it wasn’t quite like any of the commoner blues, so when I submitted the photo...
If you keep your eyes on the ground as you wander through South Africa’s varied and wonderful habitats, you generally don’t have to wait too long before you see some or other insect doing something interesting. On our recent visit to Hluhluwe my wife did not keep her eyes...
And so to the last in our series. SAC SPIDERS, YELLOW SAC SPIDERS, HOUSE SAC SPIDERS, LONG-LEGGED SAC SPIDERS – these are various common names given to the very common spider Cheiracanthium furculatum in the family Eutichuridae Since the early 1980’s bites from the common House Sac spider Cheiracanthium...
VIOLIN SPIDERS Family Sicariidae, genus Loxosceles 6 species Loxosceles bergeri, L parramae, L pilosa, L simillima, L speluncarum, and L spinulosa Violin spiders are smallish to medium-sized, unremarkable free–living nocturnal hunters and a variety of subdued brownish colours. The “violin marking” on the head region is not always visible and...
Our button or widow spiders have neurotoxic venom (venom that affects the central nervous system). BLACK BUTTON OR WIDOW SPIDERS Family Theridiidae, species Latrodectus cinctus, Latrodectus indistinctus, Latrodectus karrooensis & Latrodectus renivulvatus Black button spiders are regarded as the most dangerously venomous spiders found in southern Africa. Those found...
Whilst not quite as badly maligned as snakes, spiders also tend to take the rap for many things they don’t do. So in order to try and help their cause a bit, and hopefully provide HO’s with some useful facts, Astri Leroy has kindly given us permission to serialize...
You might have seen dragonflies or damselflies (Order Odonata), either perching, or in flight, coupled together in what is described as the “wheel position”. Green hooktails (Paragomphus genei) You have probably deduced, correctly, that this is dragonflies’ method of mating, but have been unable from your observations to work...
Time for a small change, from Fauna to Flora. If you drive around Pilanesberg at the moment you can’t help but notice the clumps of white vegetation all over the place. The first one I drove past I could just make out the distinctive straight paired thorns of an...
The following interesting article on antivenom was provided by Johan Marais, of the African Snakebite Institute. The only effective treatment for severe snakebite envenomation from a potentially deadly snake is antivenom. Using antivenom is not easy and it has its disadvantages, but in the right hands, and at the...
Roger Mayes (VM 58) If you live in Gauteng and walk round your garden from time to time, you may sometimes notice a small spider web with what looks at first glance like a grey twig stuck vertically through its middle. Closer inspection will reveal that the “twig” is...
Please feel free to use this form to submit a message should you wish to contact the Honorary Officer Association.
© Honorary Officer Association - North West Parks & Tourism Board. Website proudly sponsored by Karbonblack. Hosting proudly sponsored by Host Hero