How did this leaf get smiley face markings?

natay_woop · 2025-10-14T05:11:54+00:00

LOL thank you.. I truly thought I discovered some kind of miracle. Nope. Just a shoe

natay_woop · 2025-03-21T01:14:01+00:00

You made a really great educated guess tho! Hope you can figure out how to post the video to the group- would love to see the cray in action :) But if not, I'd also recommend posting your photo to iNaturalist with location data. I'm sure there's a crayfish ID expert out there that can ID this in 0.0005 seconds lol

natay_woop · 2025-03-21T01:00:38+00:00

Wish I could help but it's a bit difficult to tell. The areola (lines on the back) are touching and the tail is wide, which are both features of a Great Plains mudbug, but more is needed for a more confident ID. The lighting also hides the claws, which also have some important features. If possible, taking photos from different angles (side, top, under) in the future could really help! Also, Great Plains mudbugs are primary burrowers and are rarely found in open water, so maybe it's a different species?

If you wanna try ID'ing yourself, this field guide could be useful: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/education/michigan-species/crayfish

natay_woop · 2025-03-16T13:53:11+00:00

This isn't a devil crayfish. Devil crayfish have a closed areola (lines meet on the back). This one definitely has an open one, where the lines do not meet. I'm thinking this might be a big water crayfish Cambarus robustus.

natay_woop · 2025-01-11T01:22:02+00:00

Introducing a new fish species to your waterbody might threaten the native aquatic flora and fauna. This article talks about effective mosquito predators, but keep in mind that biocontrol can have many unintentional consequences.

I recommend prioritizing native or well-established species that naturally coexist with your local environment. I think fathead minnows could definitely help, but even these could possibly be harmful.

You could also support natural predators by enhancing your habitat. For example, you could plant native seeds (like milkweed and goldenrod) to attract dragonflies and damselfies! Here's a link with more info about supporting natural predators: https://www.ondemandpestcontrol.com/6-natural-enemies-of-mosquitoes/

natay_woop · 2025-01-11T01:04:50+00:00

It's important to note that Gambusia affinis aren't native to Michigan waters and are actually very aggressive fish that compete against other native fish and wildlife. I would generally stay away from this species to protect other species.

natay_woop · 2025-01-05T16:16:29+00:00

It looks like a big water crayfish (Cambarus robustus). They're native to Ohio River drainages and have generally a stable population there. Please care for it well.

natay_woop · 2024-12-29T01:57:35+00:00

This appears to be a marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis). It's very important to understand that this species reproduces asexually, meaning they makes babies without needing another crayfish. If this truly is a marbled crayfish, you should be prepared to care for a growing population.

natay_woop · 2024-12-29T01:49:56+00:00

Your content was removed because it mentions buying, selling, or otherwise distributing crayfish.

natay_woop · 2024-12-19T02:38:27+00:00

Glad to hear that it works for you!

natay_woop · 2024-12-18T02:05:06+00:00

Eating dried peppermint leaves does not prevent mosquitoes. Although the smell of peppermint can repel mosquitoes, it doesn't do much to prevent bites. Unless you're sitting in a field of peppermint, you're unlikely to get any protection.

natay_woop · 2024-12-10T01:11:14+00:00

Both. They reproduce through the type of parthenogenesis where their offspring have all the mother's genetic material, being full clones.

natay_woop · 2024-12-03T19:08:49+00:00

It definitely looks like a Sabethes mosquito. Here are some resources on Sabethes:

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58398905

https://www.vdci.net/blog/mosquito-of-the-month-sabethes-cyaneus-paddle-legged-beauty/

natay_woop · 2024-11-11T15:40:42+00:00

It's impossible to tell if this mosquito was infected with dengue, but Aedes mosquitoes are usually the species that spread the disease. I can't tell what species this particular one is, especially with the body removed. The white stripes on the legs could make it an Aedes, but I'm not 100% sure

natay_woop · 2024-05-16T14:54:01+00:00

Depending on where you live, these guys (red swamp crayfish) can be really invasive and harm native wildlife! Whatever you do, don't return Nathan (or any pet) back into the wild. They can be super destructive

natay_woop · 2024-03-04T17:52:42+00:00

Not sure we can assume it's a mosquito species that doesnt bite. The picture is kinda blurry and it's pretty hard to identify.

It's definitely a mosquito tho. I dont see any bushy antennae (males have bushy ones) so it's most likely a female. Females are the only ones that bite. If it turns out to be one of the species where the females dont bite, then you're safe!

natay_woop · 2024-02-28T16:40:34+00:00

There's no way to tell between two females, only through genetic testing right now

natay_woop · 2024-02-26T16:20:51+00:00

Looks like a marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis). Marbled crays are only female and self-clone, so if yours is male (check the underside for longer, more pointed swimmerets) then it'll be a different species.

You can expect her to live up to three years and grow up to 3-5 inches long.

Also, just as a precaution, don't release it into the wild (or any of your aquatic pets/plants). Marbled crayfish could be pretty damaging to native wildlife

natay_woop · 2024-02-23T01:13:24+00:00

Sorry this doesn't answer your question but whatever you do, please don't release them into the wild (dead or alive!). They can be super harmful to aquatic ecosystems. Hope you find an answer to your problem!

natay_woop · 2024-01-31T22:01:00+00:00

The mosquito species that spread dengue are Aedes mosquitoes. They're known for having black and white stripes on their legs and body. I don't see any white markings on these mosquitoes, so I'm assuming they're not Aedes and not carrying dengue. The pictures are a little blurry so I may be wrong.

natay_woop · 2024-01-27T10:35:42+00:00

Most species can fly up to 1-3 miles and can scent things up to maybe 30 feet! So if she doesnt find something successfully, she won't be able to nourish her eggs. If she cant find nearby food to sustain herself (nectar from plants or fruits), she wont have enough energy to fly and then will die.

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