10-10-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SHIELDBACK KATYDID (Thyreonotus corsicus)

Thyreonotus corsicus is a species belonging to the family Tettigoniidae subfamily Tettigoniinae. It is found in the western Mediterranean from the Iberian Peninsula over the south of France to the southwestern Alps. Isolated populations are found in Corsica and Sardinia.

Habitat:

Thyreonotus corsicus inhabits most often areas with strongly developed vegetation (bushes, dwarf shrubs, grasses) like garigues, scrub, maquis or dry open woodland.

Life cycle:

The adults appear between late June/July and November. The adults often rest in elevated position in bushes such as Buxus or Juniperus.

Remarks:

Thyreonotus corsicus occurs in SW-Europe (Iberian Peninsula, S-France, Corsica and Sardinia).

10-10-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SPANISH CARPET MOTH (Scotopteryx peribolata)

Scotopteryx peribolata, the Spanish carpet, is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is found in Spain, Portugal, France, Switzerland and Great Britain,[1] where it is found on the Channel Islands and on occasion along the southern coast of mainland Britain.

The wingspan is 28–33 mm. Adults are on wing from August to September.

The larvae feed on Cytisus, Genista and Ulex species. They are greyish.

10-10-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PLUSIINE LOOPER MOTH CATERPILLAR (Subfamily Plusiinae)

Plusiine looper moths are a large, globally distributed subfamily (Plusiinae) of owlet moths (Noctuidae), named for the distinctive looping movement of their larvae. Many species are significant agricultural pests. 

Key Facts

"Looping" Movement: The larvae (caterpillars) are called "loopers" because they lack two or three pairs of prolegs (fleshy abdominal stubs) found on most caterpillars. This forces them to arch their backs into a loop as they crawl, similar to inchworms.

Appearance:

Larvae are typically green with faint longitudinal white stripes and a few long hairs.

Adults generally have prominent tufts of hair-like scales on their thorax, upturned labial palps, and forewings that often feature metallic silver or brassy spots (e.g., a "Y" or question mark shape).

Diet: The caterpillars are largely polyphagous, meaning they feed on a wide variety of herbaceous plants, including many common garden vegetables and field crops like cabbage, broccoli, potatoes, and clover. Some boreal species also feed on conifers.

Pest Status: Several species are major agricultural pests due to their defoliation of crops. Notable examples include the cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni) and the silver Y moth (Autographa gamma).

Habitat and Migration: They are found in open areas, gardens, and agricultural lands across tropical, temperate, and arctic regions worldwide. Many species, such as the common looper moth, are migratory, moving north in the spring and south in the fall.

Life Cycle: Like all moths, they undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult moth). The eggs are laid on the undersides of leaves and hatch within a few days. The larval stage lasts several weeks before they pupate in a cocoon.

5-3-2019 ACUARIO, ZARAGOZA - FLORIDA RED BELLIED COOTER (Pseudemys nelsoni)

The Florida Red-Bellied Cooter (Pseudemys nelsoni) is a large, herbivorous freshwater turtle in Florida, known for its reddish-orange belly, yellow-striped dark skin, and preference for basking in sunny spots on logs in lakes, rivers, and marshes, often sharing habitats with alligators, whose nests they sometimes use for laying eggs, growing large (females up to 14+ inches) and living for decades. 

Appearance & Size

Shell: Brown/olive carapace (top) with light streaks; reddish-orange plastron (bottom) that fades with age.

Head/Limbs: Olive to black skin with bright yellow stripes; males have longer foreclaws and tails.

Size: Females are larger, reaching up to 35-40 cm (14-15 inches) long, while males are smaller. 

Habitat & Behavior

Home: Permanent fresh waters like ponds, swamps, canals, and slow rivers across Florida.

Basking: Loves to sunbathe on logs/rocks to regulate body temperature, quickly diving when disturbed.

Diet: Primarily aquatic plants (waterweed, duckweed), but juveniles eat insects; adults may eat algae and carrion.

Nesting: Females nest spring-fall, sometimes laying eggs in alligator nests for protection. 

9-10-2019 CORAL RUBIA, ALBACETE - GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus)

The greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus, stands as the most widespread and largest member of the flamingo family. This majestic bird is adorned with pinkish-white plumage, save for the red wing coverts and contrasting black primary and secondary flight feathers. The bill is a striking pink with a black tip, and the legs are a uniform pink, completing the iconic look of this species.

Adult greater flamingos can be identified by their height, ranging from 110 to 150 cm, and their weight between 2 and 4 kg. The largest males can reach up to 187 cm tall and weigh 4.5 kg. Observers should note the distinctive coloration, with the majority of the body being pinkish-white, red wing coverts, and black flight feathers. The pink bill with a black tip and entirely pink legs are also key identification features. The call of the greater flamingo is reminiscent of a goose-like honking.

Greater flamingos favor mudflats and shallow coastal lagoons with saline water, where they can be seen stirring the mud with their feet in search of food.

This species is common in the Old World, with a range that includes Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, the Levant, and Southern Europe. Notably, they are found in coastal regions and along water bodies such as the Nile River, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean.

Greater flamingos are social birds, often found in large flocks. They feed with their heads down, filtering out sustenance from the water with their specially adapted bills. During the breeding season, these birds engage in a fascinating display of spreading uropygial secretions over their feathers to enhance their color, a behavior likened to applying "make-up."

The vocalization of the greater flamingo is a distinctive honking, similar to that of a goose, which can be heard over considerable distances.

The species lays a single chalky-white egg on a mud mound, a typical breeding behavior for flamingos.

Greater flamingos feed on a diet that includes small shrimp, seeds, blue-green algae, microscopic organisms, and mollusks. They filter their food from the water with their downward-facing heads and movable upper jaws.

In the voice of David Attenborough, one might say: "The greater flamingo, with its elegant stature and vibrant hues, is a testament to the wonders of the avian world. As it sifts through the shallows, one cannot help but be captivated by its grace and the delicate balance it maintains within its ecosystem."

9-10-2019 CORAL RUBIA, ALBACETE - GREATER FLAMINGO (JUVENILE) (Phoenicopterus roseus)

The greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus, stands as the most widespread and largest member of the flamingo family. This majestic bird is adorned with pinkish-white plumage, save for the red wing coverts and contrasting black primary and secondary flight feathers. The bill is a striking pink with a black tip, and the legs are a uniform pink, completing the iconic look of this species.

Adult greater flamingos can be identified by their height, ranging from 110 to 150 cm, and their weight between 2 and 4 kg. The largest males can reach up to 187 cm tall and weigh 4.5 kg. Observers should note the distinctive coloration, with the majority of the body being pinkish-white, red wing coverts, and black flight feathers. The pink bill with a black tip and entirely pink legs are also key identification features. The call of the greater flamingo is reminiscent of a goose-like honking.

Greater flamingos favor mudflats and shallow coastal lagoons with saline water, where they can be seen stirring the mud with their feet in search of food.

This species is common in the Old World, with a range that includes Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, the Levant, and Southern Europe. Notably, they are found in coastal regions and along water bodies such as the Nile River, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean.

Greater flamingos are social birds, often found in large flocks. They feed with their heads down, filtering out sustenance from the water with their specially adapted bills. During the breeding season, these birds engage in a fascinating display of spreading uropygial secretions over their feathers to enhance their color, a behavior likened to applying "make-up."

The vocalization of the greater flamingo is a distinctive honking, similar to that of a goose, which can be heard over considerable distances.

The species lays a single chalky-white egg on a mud mound, a typical breeding behavior for flamingos.

9-10-2019 PETROLA, ALBACETE - COMMON DARTER DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Sympetrum striolatum)

The common darter (Sympetrum striolatum) is a dragonfly of the family Libellulidae native to Eurasia. It is one of the most common dragonflies in Europe, occurring in a wide variety of water bodies, though with a preference for breeding in still water such as ponds and lakes. In the south of its range adults are on the wing all year round.

Sympetrum species are not easy to tell apart and in most areas more than one Sympetrum species will occur. Females and teneral individuals have light yellow thorax and abdomen. Males turn red as they mature. Females darken with age, becoming a dark chocolate brown, and sometimes develop a blue colouration to the bottom of the abdomen. The wings also develop a brown tinge with age. In all cases the legs have a cream or yellow stripe on a black background - this is a diagnostic feature of this species. The pterostigma of the females can be red, blue, pale blue or brown.

9-10-2019 CORAL RUBIA, ALBACETE - NORTHERN WHEATEAR (FEMALE) (Oenanthe oenanthe)

The Northern Wheatear, or Oenanthe oenanthe, is a small, charismatic passerine bird. It is the most widespread member of the wheatear genus Oenanthe in Europe, North and Central Asia, with populations also in northeastern Canada, Greenland, northwestern Canada, and Alaska. This bird is notable for its migratory habits, breeding in open stony country and wintering in Africa.

Adult Northern Wheatears measure 14.5–16 cm in length, with a wingspan of 26–32 cm and a weight range of 17-30 g. Both sexes boast a distinctive white rump and tail, marked by a contrasting black T-pattern. The summer male is adorned with grey upperparts, a buff throat, and a striking black face mask and wings. Come autumn, the male's plumage softens to resemble the female's, which is generally paler with brown upperparts and buff underparts. The male's song is a whistling, crackly melody, while its call is a sharp "chack," and the flight call mirrors this sound.

The Northern Wheatear favors open, stony terrain for breeding. It often nests in rock crevices and abandoned rabbit burrows, demonstrating a preference for environments that offer both shelter and open ground.

Historically, the Northern Wheatear was trapped and sold as a delicacy in England, known as "the English ortolan." This practice has since ceased, and the bird now primarily holds interest for birdwatchers and ornithologists.

This bird's breeding range spans Europe, across the Palearctic to east Siberia, and into northwest North America. Remarkably, all Northern Wheatears migrate to spend the winter in Africa, regardless of their vast breeding distribution.

The Northern Wheatear is known for its impressive migratory behavior, undertaking one of the longest journeys of any small bird. It crosses oceans, ice, and deserts to migrate between its breeding grounds in the Northern Hemisphere and wintering grounds in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Northern Wheatears reach sexual maturity at one year of age. The female is solely responsible for nest construction, often in cavities like rabbit burrows or rock crevices. Clutches typically consist of 4-7 pale blue eggs, which are incubated predominantly by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after about 15 days and gain independence at around 28-32 days old. Usually, only one brood is raised per year.

As an insectivorous species, the Northern Wheatear feeds on a variety of insects and other small invertebrates, foraging on the ground in its open habitat.

9-10-2019 CORAL RUBIO, ALBACETE - EUROPEAN STONECHAT (FEMALE) (Saxicola rubicola)

The European stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a subspecies of the common stonechat. Long considered a member of the thrush family, Turdidae, genetic evidence has placed it and its relatives in the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae.

European stonechats breed in heathland, coastal dunes and rough grassland with scattered small shrubs and bramble, open gorse, tussocks or heather. They are short-distance migrants or non-migratory, with part of the population (particularly from northeastern parts of the range, where winters are colder) moving south to winter further south in Europe and more widely in north Africa.

Perky little bird of open country, especially heathland with gorse, moorland, weedy meadows, scrubby marsh margins, and rough grassland with scattered low bushes. Perches atop bushes and on fences, dropping to the ground to feed, before flying back up to a perch. Male distinctive, with blackish head set off by big white patch on sides of neck, orangey breast. Female brownish overall with paler eyebrow (only behind eye, unlike Whinchat), dull orangey breast; shows paler rump in flight, contrasting with solidly blackish tail. Warbled song is short and buzzy. Calls include dry “tchak” and rising “weet.”

7-10-2019 BAYREN GANDIA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MANTIS (FEMALE) (Mantis religiosa)

The European mantis (Mantis religiosa) is a large hemimetabolic insect in the Mantidae family, which is the largest family of the order Mantodea (mantises). Their common name praying mantis is derived from the distinctive posture of the first pair of legs that can be observed the mantis is in repose, resembling a praying position. Both males and females have elongated bodies with two pairs of wings. The most striking features that all Mantodea share are a very mobile, triangular head with large compound eyes and their first pair of legs (the 'raptorial legs'), which is highly modified for the efficient capture and restraint of fast-moving or flying prey.

The phenomenon that conspecifics are attacked and eaten after, during, and even before copulation is called sexual cannibalism. Many examples are known in various groups of invertebrates, including the mantids. Some speculations exist about the benefits of this behaviour, but its causes are not fully understood yet.[23] For quite some time, the belief that sexual cannibalism in M. religiosa only occurred in captivity was widespread. It was believed to be an artefact of improper animal keeping (too little food or space). In 1992, however, the cannibalising behaviour of female M. religiosa was observed in a field study. Lawrence compared the percentage of cannibalism in natural and manipulated (males and females were put close together in the field) pairings and found rates of 31% and 24%. This proves that sexual cannibalism in this praying mantid is not caused by laboratory conditions. They can, however, intensify the phenomenon; females that were starved for more than three days were more likely to attack males, even before copulation.

7-10-2019 BAYREN GANDIA, VALENCIA - SNAKE MILLIPEDE (Ommatoiulus rutilans)

Snake millipedes, like the common White-legged millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger), are harmless, segmented invertebrates with cylindrical bodies, black color, and distinctive white legs; they eat decaying plants, curl into spirals to defend against threats, and are vital decomposers in gardens and woodlands, though they can release pungent fluid to deter predators. 

Key Facts About Snake Millipedes:

Appearance: Shiny black, long, cylindrical bodies with many rings (segments) and contrasting white legs.

Legs: Have about 100 legs (two pairs per body segment), not 1,000.

Diet: Primarily vegetarians (detritivores), feeding on decaying leaves, fungi, mildew, and rotting wood, helping recycle nutrients.

Habitat: Found in leaf litter, under rocks, in compost, and rotting trees in gardens and woodlands.

Behavior: Curl into a tight spiral when threatened, protecting their soft undersides.

7-10-2019 BAYREN GANDIA, VALENCIA - CONVOLVULUS HAWKMOTH CATERPILLAR (Agrius convolvuli)

Agrius convolvuli, the convolvulus hawk-moth, is a large hawk-moth. It is common throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, partly as a migrant. In New Zealand, it is also known as the kumara moth, and in the Māori language as hīhue.

The wingspan is 80–105 millimetres (3.1–4.1 in). This hawkmoth's basic coloration is in grayish tones, but the abdomen has a broad gray dorsal stripe and pink and black bands edged with white on the sides. The hindwings are light gray with darker broad crosslines.

Its favourite time is around sunset and during the twilight, when it is seen in gardens hovering over the flowers. This moth is very attracted to light, so it is often killed by cars on highways. Its caterpillars eat the leaves of the Convolvulus, hence its Latin name "convolvuli". Other recorded food plants include a wide range of plants in the families Araceae, Convolvulaceae, Leguminosae and Malvaceae. It can be a pest of cultivated Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato or kūmara) in New Zealand and the Pacific. It feeds on the wing and has a very long proboscis (longer than its body) that enables it to feed on long trumpet-like flowers such as Nicotiana sylvestris.

The caterpillars can be in a number of different colours. As well as brown they have been seen in bright green and black.

6-10-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PINE-TREE LAPPET MOTH (Dendrolimus pini)

The pine tree lappet moth is a large moth, native to Europe and Asia, that can cause significant defoliation of coniferous trees, including pine, fir, and spruce. Its larvae feed on needles, and outbreaks can occur in cyclical patterns, sometimes leading to tree death. It is considered an economically important pest, and its spread to new areas, such as the United States, is a risk due to factors like climate change and the human movement of firewood. 

Description and habitat

Appearance: It is a large moth with a wingspan of 60–84 mm and can be reddish-brown with grey and brown areas. Females are larger and have darker hind wings.

Habitat: Found in coniferous woodlands, plantations, and parklands.

Taxonomy: Its scientific name is Dendrolimus pini. 

Life cycle and feeding

Larvae: The caterpillars feed on various conifers, with a strong preference for pine species, and can strip needles from entire canopies.

Overwintering: Larvae overwinter in the forest litter and continue feeding in the spring.

Adults: Adults fly at night; males are attracted to light, but females are not.

Seasonal activity: Moths are active from July, and eggs are laid in August. Caterpillars are active from September through the spring and into the summer before pupating. 

Impact and pest status

Defoliation: Larvae can defoliate trees, weakening them and making them more vulnerable to other pests and diseases.

Outbreaks: The moth appears in cyclical outbreaks, particularly in areas with large monocultures of trees.

Spread: Its spread to new regions is a concern due to the risk it poses to forest ecosystems and trade.

Pest control: Measures to control it include monitoring populations and avoiding the movement of firewood, which can spread the insect to new areas. 

7-10-2019 BAYREN GANDIA, VALENCIA - OLD WORLD SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY (Papilio machaon)

Papilio machaon, the Old World swallowtail, is a butterfly of the family Papilionidae. The butterfly is also known as the common yellow swallowtail or simply the swallowtail (a common name applied to all members of the family, but this species was the first to be given the name). It is the type species of the genus Papilio. This widespread species is found in much of the Palearctic (it is the only swallowtail in most of Europe) and in North America.

This species is named after Machaon (Ancient Greek: Μαχάων, romanized: Makháōn) a figure in Greek mythology. He was a son of Asclepius.

This butterfly is present throughout the entire Palearctic region, ranging from Russia to China and Japan, (including the Himalayas and Taiwan), and across into Alaska, Canada, and the United States, and thus, is not restricted to the Old World, despite the common name. In Asia, it is reported as far south as Saudi Arabia, Oman, the high mountains of Yemen, Lebanon, Iran and Israel. In southern Asia, it occurs in Pakistan and Kashmir, northern India (Sikkim, to Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh), Nepal, Bhutan, and northern Myanmar.

This butterfly is widespread in Europe. In the United Kingdom, it is limited to a few areas in the Norfolk Broads of East Anglia. It is the UK's largest resident butterfly. The monarch (Danaus plexippus) is slightly larger, but is only a rare vagrant.

As P. machaon is widespread throughout Eurasia and often common, it is not threatened as a species. It is listed as "vulnerable" in the South Korean and Austrian Red Data Books, and in the Red Data Book of the former Soviet Union. In Armenia the species demonstrates stable population trend and is assessed as Least Concern.

In some countries, P. machaon and its subspecies are protected by law. Papilio machaon machaon is protected by law in six provinces of Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova. The species is protected in the United Kingdom, and subspecies verityi is protected in India.

The butterfly has a strong and fast flight, but frequently pauses to hover over flowering herbs and sip nectar. It frequents alpine meadows and hillsides, and males are fond of 'hilltopping', congregating near summits to compete for passing females. At lower elevations, it can be seen visiting gardens.

6-10-2019 CULLERA, VALENCIA - WESTERN CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis ssp. ibis)

The Cattle Egret, a member of the heron family Ardeidae, is a small white bird recognized for its association with grazing animals. It exhibits a stout build, with a wingspan ranging from 88 to 96 cm, and a body length between 46 to 56 cm. The species is relatively light, weighing between 270 to 512 grams. It is characterized by a short, thick neck, a robust bill, and a somewhat hunched posture.

Outside the breeding season, the adult Cattle Egret has predominantly white plumage, a yellow bill, and greyish-yellow legs. Come breeding time, the western variety develops striking orange-buff plumes on the back, breast, and crown, while the bill, legs, and irises turn a vivid red. The eastern variety differs slightly with buff coloration extending to the cheeks and throat during breeding, and the plumes taking on a more golden hue. Both sexes are similar in appearance, though males are marginally larger with longer breeding plumes.

Cattle Egrets are adaptable birds that exploit a variety of drier and open habitats more than other heron species. Their preferred environments include seasonally inundated grasslands, pastures, farmlands, wetlands, and rice paddies.

Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe, the Cattle Egret has seen a significant expansion in its distribution, colonizing much of the rest of the world over the last century. It is now found in the tropics, subtropics, and warm-temperate zones globally.

Cattle Egrets are often seen in the company of cattle or other large mammals, benefiting from the insects and small vertebrates these animals disturb. They are known for their migratory behavior, with some populations moving seasonally, while others disperse post-breeding.

At breeding colonies, the Cattle Egret emits a soft, guttural "rick-rack" call but is generally quiet outside this setting.

Breeding occurs in colonies, often near water and in the company of other wading birds. The nest is a platform of sticks in trees or shrubs. Both parents are involved in nest construction and incubation, which lasts about 23 days. Chicks are born with some down and are dependent on their parents for warmth and food.

The diet is varied, primarily consisting of insects like grasshoppers, crickets, and flies. They also consume spiders, frogs, small reptiles, and occasionally bird eggs and chicks. They are known to forage in fields, often near grazing animals, and have been observed following farm machinery to catch disturbed prey.

6-10-2019 CULLERA, VALENCIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

The Little Egret, Egretta garzetta, is a dainty heron adorned in pure white plumage. It is characterized by a slender black beak, long black legs, and, notably in the western race, yellow feet. This elegant bird is a sight to behold with its graceful neck and poised stance.

Adult Little Egrets measure between 55–65 cm in length with a wingspan of 88–106 cm, and weigh 350–550 g. Their plumage is predominantly white, though some may exhibit bluish-grey coloration. Breeding adults boast ornate nape plumes reaching about 150 mm, along with distinctive feathers on the breast and elongated scapulars. 

The bill and lores are black, with greenish-grey skin at the base of the lower mandible and around the eye, which houses a yellow iris. Legs are black with contrasting yellow feet, though juveniles may have greenish-black legs and duller feet. The subspecies E. g. nigripes is distinguished by yellow skin between the bill and eye, and blackish feet. 

3-10-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MOORISH GECKO (Tarentola mauritanica)

Tarentola mauritanica, known as the common wall gecko, is a species of gecko (Gekkota) native to the western Mediterranean area of North Africa and Europe. It has been introduced to Madeira and Balearic Islands, and the Americas (in Montevideo, Buenos Aires and California). A nocturnal animal with a predominantly insectivorous diet, it is commonly observed on walls in urban environments in warm coastal areas; it can be found further inland, especially in Spain where it has a tradition of cohabitation with humans as an insect hunter. 

A robust species, up to 15 centimetres (5.9 in) long, its tubercules are enlarged and give the species a spiny armoured appearance.

The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It is also known as moorish gecko, crocodile gecko, European common gecko, and, regionally, as osga (in Portuguese), salamanquesa (in Spanish) and dragó (in Catalan).

6-10-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (idaea cervantaria)

1.4 to 2.2 cm wingspan. Straw-coloured, with yellowish wings with scattered dark, brown or greyish scales. On each wing it has a wavy line with small pointed spots, pointing backwards. Sometimes these details are barely noticeable. Between these lines and the rear edge, it has dark spots that may have a  light wavy stripe. It has a spot on each wing but those on the front wings may go unnoticed.

There are other similar species that are impossible to distinguish externally, so for a correct and safe identification, genital analysis must be used. Several of them have been found in the province of Malaga, although I. cervantaria is currently the most common and the only one that has been observed in urban environments.

The caterpillars feed on dry leaves of herbaceous plants and in captivity on petals of different Asteraceae and sea alder (Lobularia maritima), the latter common in our province, especially in sunny areas of the limestone mountains, and occasionally used in gardening for the showiness of its inflorescences.

6-10-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - ORANIAN GIANT CENTIPEDE (Scolopendra oraniensis)

Scolopendra oraniensis (commonly known as the Oranian Giant Centipede or Algerian Centipede) is a species of, predominantly Mediterranean, scolopendrid centipede. It is known for its high variability in color, ranging from pale cream to dark green or brown. 

Physical Characteristics

Size: They are relatively small compared to other members of the Scolopendra genus, usually reaching a length of 40–65 mm (up to 6.5 cm).

Appearance: They have highly variable coloration, with legs and antennae ranging from pale yellow to green, blue, or red.

Identification: They are often confused with S. canidens or juvenile S. cingulata, but are distinct from S. cingulata by lacking the characteristic dark "belt" or "cingulum" on their tergites. 

6-10-2019 ADOR, VALENCIA - EPAULET SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Orthetrum chrysostigma)

Orthetrum chrysostigma, the epaulet skimmer, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Israel, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Burundi as well as Canary Islands, and Portugal. It was recorded in the Maltese Islands in 2010.

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, dry savanna, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, rivers, intermittent rivers, shrub-dominated wetlands, swamps, freshwater lakes, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, and freshwater springs. The adults prey on various flying insects. The bodies of adult males are blue, and those of young and females are yellow and brown.

5-10-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN SPINY FALSE WOLF SPIDER (Zoropsis spinimana)

Males of Z. spinimana reach a length around 10–12 mm (0.39–0.47 in), while females are 15–18 mm (0.59–0.71 in) long. This spider resembles a wolf spider, as its eyes are of the same configuration, but unlike wolf spiders, the eyes of Zoropsis spiders are more spread out along the front third of the cephalothorax. The front body (prosoma) is brownish with broad darker markings. The abdomen (opisthosoma) has median black markings. The legs are mainly a speckled brown color.

The brown and light marking on the upper side of the front body evokes the face of the vampire of the 1922 German silent film Nosferatu, which led to the common German name of the spider, Nosferatu-Spinne.

Zoropsis spinimana is distributed widely in the Mediterranean, but reaches into Russia, and was introduced to the United States, primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area, and the United Kingdom, primarily the London area.

Since the mid-1990s, the species has been sighted along Europe's North-South transport routes, like Lucerne, Basel, Freiburg im Breisgau, Duisburg, Brussels, Innsbruck. It is not clear why the relatively large spider was not found there earlier, as Mediterranean holidays with mobile homes were popular in the 1970s, and would have provided the spiders with many suitable habitats and transport opportunities. Ecologists assume that climate change enabled the spiders to take hold and reproduce north of the Alps. Recent finds presumably near the Northern border of the current distribution range include a 2023 find in Copenhagen.

Spiders of the species can be found on forest edges under rocks and tree bark, where they hunt for prey during the night. Like all zoropsid spiders, Z. spinimana does not build a web, but hunts freely. Since this spider cannot survive in a harsh climate, it often seeks refuge in human habitation and is frequently found in houses, where the temperature is milder and food is more abundant.

Spiders of this species are sexually mature in autumn. The females lay eggs in spring, resting in a brood chamber on the cocoon.

3-10-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GEOMETER MOTH (Onychora agaritharia)

The Onychora agaritharia is a species of geometer moth (family Geometridae) found in parts of Europe, particularly the Iberian Peninsula and France. 

Key Facts

Common Name: It is known in French as "La Fidonie tardive".

Classification: It belongs to the order Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), family Geometridae, and genus Onychora. Its placement within the subfamily Ennominae, specifically the Gnophini, is considered uncertain by some researchers.

Distribution: The species has been recorded in Cantabria, the western and central parts of the Iberian Peninsula, northern Portugal, and Andalusia. The original description of the species came from France. It is not a UK species.

Habitat: It is recognized as a group of localized populations that prefer isolated colonies and specific natural habitats.

Host Plants: The larvae of Onychora agaritharia feed on various plants in the Fabaceae family (legumes), including:

Cytisus scoparius (Common Broom)

Genista cinerea

Genista scorpius

Spartium

Ulex (Gorse)

Life Cycle: Details on the complete life cycle, including pre-imaginal instars and cocoon characteristics, have been a subject of research, with new information being revealed through recent field observations and rearings. The species name etymology refers to the strong streaming or banded pattern on its forewings. 

2-10-2019 BONAIRE, VALENCIA - ORANGE WINGED DROPWING DRAGONFLY (FEMALE) (Trithemis kirbyi)

Trithemis kirbyi, also known as the Kirby's dropwing, orange-winged dropwing, or scarlet rock glider is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae.

It is found in Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Burundi. It is also present in southern Europe, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Ocean Islands and South Asia to India.

Since 2003 this African tropical dragonfly has been colonizing Europe helped by a widespread increase in temperatures. It is now breeding successfully in Spain, Portugal and France.

The adult male abdomen measures 21–24 mm and hind wing 24–27 mm. Female abdomen measures 23 mm and hind wing 26–30 mm. The male is a medium-sized scarlet dragonfly with a broad reddish amber patch on the base of transparent wings. The female is similar to the male, but duller in color.[3] Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical streams and rivers. It breeds in marshes, ponds, and lakes, and prefers to perch on exposed rocks, dry areas, and boulders in riverbeds.

2-10-2019 BONAIRE, VALENCIA - NOMAD DRAGONFLY (FEMALE) (Sympetrum fonscolombii)

The red-veined darter or nomad (Sympetrum fonscolombii) is a dragonfly of the genus Sympetrum.

Sympetrum fonscolombii was named under the protonym Libellula fonscolombii by the Belgian entomologist Edmond de Sélys Longchamps, in 1840, in honor of the French entomologist Étienne of Fonscolombe (hence the species name). Its name is sometimes spelt fonscolombei instead of fonscolombii but Askew (2004) gives the latter as the correct spelling.

Sympetrum fonscolombii can reach a body length of 38–40 millimetres (1.5–1.6 in). This species is similar to other Sympetrum species but a good view with binoculars should give a positive identification, especially with a male.

Males have a red abdomen, redder than many other Sympetrum species. The frons and the thorax are red-brown. The eyes are brown above and blue/grey below. The wings have red veins and the wing bases of the hind-wings are yellow. The pterostigma is pale yellow with a border of black veins.

Female are similar but the abdomen is ochre yellow, not red, with two black lines along each side. The wings have yellow veins at the costa, leading edge and base, not red veins as found in the males. The legs of both sexes are mostly black with some yellow.

1-10-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MOORISH GECKO (JUVENILE) (Tarentola mauritanica)

Tarentola mauritanica, known as the common wall gecko, is a species of gecko (Gekkota) native to the western Mediterranean area of North Africa and Europe. It has been introduced to Madeira and Balearic Islands, and the Americas (in Montevideo, Buenos Aires and California). A nocturnal animal with a predominantly insectivorous diet, it is commonly observed on walls in urban environments in warm coastal areas; it can be found further inland, especially in Spain where it has a tradition of cohabitation with humans as an insect hunter. A robust species, up to 15 centimetres (5.9 in) long, its tubercules are enlarged and give the species a spiny armoured appearance.

The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It is also known as moorish gecko, crocodile gecko, European common gecko, and, regionally, as osga (in Portuguese), salamanquesa (in Spanish) and dragó (in Catalan).