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Wednesday, 30 September 2015

Allium autumnale (P. H. Davis) - Άλλιον το φθινοπωρινό - Endemic to Cyprus


Endemic to Cyprus

The native range of this species is Cyprus. It is a bulbous geophyte and grows primarily in the subtropical biome.
Photos Diorios 8/11/2014 by George Konstantinou







Tuesday, 29 September 2015

Slender Burrowing Grasshopper - Acrotylus patruelis (Herrich-Schäffer, 1838) - Cyprus


Family: Acrididae
The slender burrowing grasshopper (Acrotylus patruelis) is a species of bandwing grasshopper found throughout Africa, southern Europe and southwestern Asia. It occurs in many dry open habitats with bare ground, such as savannah, grassland and Mediterranean shrubland. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Photos Agios Sozomenos  28/9/2015 by George Konstantinou







Monday, 28 September 2015

Hypolixus pulvisculosus (Boheman, 1836) - Cyprus

 Family, Curculionidae

Photos  Geri, 28/9/2015  by George Konstantinou




American cockroach - Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) - Cyprus


P. americana, view from side
The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), also colloquially known as the waterbug, but not a true waterbug since it is not aquatic, or misidentified as the palmetto bug (see Florida woods cockroach for the differences), is the largest species of common cockroach, and often considered a pest. It is also known as the ship cockroachkakerlac, and Bombay canary
Despite the name, none of the Periplaneta species are endemic to the AmericasP. americana was introduced to the United States from Africa as early as 1625. They are now common in tropical climates because human activity has extended the insect's range of habitation, and are virtually cosmopolitan in distribution as a result of global commerce
Cockroaches date back to the Carboniferous period. Cockroaches are thought to have emerged on the supercontinent Pangaea, or on Gondwana, the daughter continent of Pangaea. The cockroach made many adaptations over the years to be able to survive the major die offs to which many species succumbed
American cockroach adults grow to an average length of around 4 cm (1.6 in) and about 7 mm (0.28 in) tall. They are reddish brown and have a yellowish margin on the body region behind the head. Immature cockroaches resemble adults except they are wingless.
The cockroach is divided in three sections; the body is flattened and broadly oval, with a shield-like pronotum covering its head. A pronotum is a plate-like structure that covers all or part of the dorsal surface of the thorax of certain insects. They also have chewing mouth parts, long, segmented antennae, and leathery fore wings with delicate hind wings. The third section of the cockroach is the abdomen.
The insect can travel quickly, often darting out of sight when someone enters a room, and can fit into small cracks and under doors despite its fairly large size. It is considered one of the fastest running insects.
In an experiment carried out at the University of California, Berkeley in 1991, a Periplaneta americana registered a record speed of 5.4 km/h (3.4 mph), about 50 body lengths per second, which would be comparable to a human running at 330 km/h (210 mph).
It has a pair of large compound eyes, each having over 2000 individual lenses, and is a very active night insect that shuns light.
The American cockroach shows a characteristic insect morphology with its body bearing divisions as head, trunk, and abdomen. The trunk, or thorax, is divisible in prothorax, mesothorax and metathorax. Each thoracic segment gives rise to a pair of walking appendages (known as legs). The organism bears two wings. The forewings, known as tegmina arises from mesothorax and is dark and opaque. The hind wings arise from metathorax and are used in flight, though they rarely do. The abdomen is divisible into ten segments each of which is composed of dorsal tergites and ventral sclerites
The odorous secretions produced by American cockroaches can alter the flavor of food. Also, if populations of cockroaches are high, there will be a strong concentration of this odorous secretion. Cockroaches can pick up disease-causing bacteria, such as Salmonella, on their legs and later deposit them on foods and cause food infections or poisoning. House dust containing cockroach feces and body parts can trigger allergic reactions and asthma in certain individuals
American cockroaches generally live in moist areas, but can survive in dry areas if they have access to water. They prefer warm temperatures around 29 °C (84 °F) and do not tolerate cold temperatures. These cockroaches are common in basements, crawl spaces, cracks and crevices of porches, foundations, and walkways adjacent to buildings. In residential areas outside the tropics these cockroaches live in basements and sewers, and may move outdoors into yards during warm weather.
American cockroaches have three developmental stages: eggnymph, and adult. Females produce an egg case (ootheca) which protrudes from the tip of the abdomen. On average, females produce 9–10 ootheecae, although they can sometimes produce as many as 90. The cockroach is paurometabolous. After about two days, the egg cases are placed on a surface in a safe location. Egg cases are about 0.9 centimetres (0.35 in) long, brown, and purse-shaped. Immature cockroaches emerge from egg cases in 6–8 weeks and require 6–12 months to mature. After hatching, the nymphs feed and undergo a series of 13 moultings (or ecdysis). Adult cockroaches can live up to an additional year, during which females produce an average of 150 young.
American cockroaches are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders that eat a great variety of materials such as cheese, beer, tea, leather, bakery products, starch in book bindings, manuscripts, glue, hair, flakes of dried skin, dead animals, plant materials, soiled clothing, and glossy paper with starch sizing. They are particularly fond of fermenting foods. They have also been observed to feed upon dead or wounded cockroaches of their own or other species.
Due to their large size and slow development, large infestations of these insects are not common within houses. In cold climates these cockroaches may move indoors when it turns cold, seeking warmer temperatures and food. Cockroaches may enter houses through sewer connections, under doors, around plumbing, air ducts, or other openings in the foundation. Cockroach populations may be controlled through the use of insecticides. It is also wise to cover any cracks or crevices through which cockroaches may enter. Also, always clean any spills or messes that have been made so that the cockroaches will not be attracted to the food source. Another way to prevent an infestation of cockroaches is to thoroughly check any material that is brought inside. Cockroaches and egg cases can be hidden inside or on furniture, in boxes, suitcases, grocery bags, etc.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Photos  Geri, 28/9/2015  by George Konstantinou

Photos at Strovolos 16/07/2016, by Michael Hadjiconstantis. 











Μοναδικό θέαμα το ξημέρωμα της Δευτέρας 28/9/2015 Ολική έκλειψη Σελήνης - "Ματωμένη Σελήνη"- Mega Harvest Moon Eclipse 28/9/2015 - “Blood Moon” - City Free press - Sigmalive - 28.09.2015

http://city.sigmalive.com/article/13590/i-matomeni-selini-mesa-apo-14-fotografies

Η «Ματωμένη Σελήνη» μέσα από 14 φωτογραφίες

28.09.2015
Ένα σπάνιο αστρονομικό φαινόμενο, που για τελευταία φορά είχε συμβεί το 1982 και δεν θα επαναληφθεί πριν το 2033, σημειώθηκε τα ξημερώματα της Δευτέρας 28 Σεπτεμβρίου.
 
Πηγή: www.biodiversitycyprus.blogspot.com.cy
Φωτογραφίες: Γιώργος Κωνσταντίνου / Πρόεδρος Συνδέσμου Προστασίας Φυσικής Κληρονομιάς και Βιοποικιλότητας της Κύπρου

Ολική έκλειψη υπερπανσελήνου, δηλαδή της απόκρυψης του δίσκου της Σελήνης στο μεγαλύτερο δυνατό μέγεθός του. Το φαινόμενο έφθασε στο μέγιστο σημείο του περίπου στις έξι παρά δέκα το πρωί.
Υπερπανσέληνος συμβαίνει, όταν η Σελήνη βρίσκεται στο περίγειο, δηλαδή στο κοντινότερο σημείο της από τη Γη, με αποτέλεσμα η διάμετρος του φεγγαριού να φαίνεται μεγαλύτερη. Η έκλειψη -όπου το επέτρεψαν οι κατά τόπους καιρικές συνθήκες- ήταν ορατή από την Ευρώπη, την Αφρική, την Αμερική και τη δυτική Ασία.
Κάτι ανάλογο -συνδυασμός ολικής έκλειψης και υπερπανσελήνου- είχε συμβεί μόνο πέντε φορές μετά το 1900: το 1910, το 1928, το 1946 και για τελευταία φορά το 1982, ενώ δεν θα ξανασυμβεί πριν από το 2033, σύμφωνα με τη NASA.
Η έκλειψη της 28ης Σεπτεμβρίου 2015 είναι η τέταρτη και τελευταία ολική σεληνιακή έκλειψη της τελευταίας διετίας. Οι προηγούμενες ολικές εκλείψεις έλαβαν χώρα στις 15 Απριλίου 2014, στις 8 Οκτωβρίου 2014 και στις 4 Απριλίου 2015.
Κατά τη σημερινή έκλειψη, το φεγγάρι φαινόταν κατά 14% μεγαλύτερο και κατά 30% φωτεινότερο από ό,τι στην προηγούμενη φετινή. Παρά την ολική έκλειψη, το φεγγάρι δεν έγινε τελείως σκοτεινό, αλλά πήρε μια κοκκινωπή απόχρωση, γι’ αυτό πολλοί το ονομάζουν και «Ματωμένη Σελήνη». Καθόλου παράξενο που με αυτό το φαινόμενο κατά καιρούς έχουν συνδεθεί διάφοροι -αβάσιμοι ασφαλώς- φόβοι για το επερχόμενο τέλος του κόσμου.


Το φαινόμενο απαθανάτισε άψογα ο Γιώργος Κωνσταντίνου, μέσα από 14 πραγματικά εντυπωσιακές φωτογραφίες, από την περιοχή Άγιος Σωζόμενος στη Λευκωσία.
 





Ένα σπάνιο αστρονομικό φαινόμενο, που για τελευταία φορά είχε συμβεί το 1982 και δεν θα επαναληφθεί πριν το 2033 τα ξημερώματα της Δευτέρας 28 Σεπτεμβρίου
 Ολική έκλειψη υπερπανσελήνου, δηλαδή της απόκρυψης του δίσκου της Σελήνης στο μεγαλύτερο δυνατό μέγεθός του. Το φαινόμενο θα φθάσει στο μέγιστο σημείο του περίπου στις έξι παρά δέκα το πρωί.
Υπερπανσέληνος συμβαίνει, όταν η Σελήνη βρίσκεται στο περίγειο, δηλαδή στο κοντινότερο σημείο της από τη Γη, με αποτέλεσμα η διάμετρος του φεγγαριού να φαίνεται μεγαλύτερη. Η έκλειψη -εφόσον το επιτρέπουν οι κατά τόπους καιρικές συνθήκες- θα είναι ορατή από την Ευρώπη, την Αφρική, την Αμερική και τη δυτική Ασία.
Κάτι ανάλογο -συνδυασμός ολικής έκλειψης και υπερπανσελήνου- είχε συμβεί μόνο πέντε φορές μετά το 1900: το 1910, το 1928, το 1946 και για τελευταία φορά το 1982, ενώ δεν θα ξανασυμβεί πριν από το 2033, σύμφωνα με τη NASA.
Η έκλειψη της 28ης Σεπτεμβρίου 2015 είναι η τέταρτη και τελευταία ολική σεληνιακή έκλειψη της τελευταίας διετίας. Οι προηγούμενες ολικές εκλείψεις έλαβαν χώρα στις 15 Απριλίου 2014, στις 8 Οκτωβρίου 2014 και στις 4 Απριλίου 2015.
Κατά την έκλειψη της Δευτέρας, το φεγγάρι θα φαίνεται κατά 14% μεγαλύτερο και κατά 30% φωτεινότερο από ό,τι στην προηγούμενη φετινή. Παρά την ολική έκλειψη, το φεγγάρι δεν θα γίνει τελείως σκοτεινό, αλλά θα πάρει μια κοκκινωπή απόχρωση, γι` αυτό πολλοί το ονομάζουν "Ματωμένη Σελήνη". Καθόλου παράξενο που με αυτό το φαινόμενο κατά καιρούς έχουν συνδεθεί διάφοροι -αβάσιμοι ασφαλώς- φόβοι για το επερχόμενο τέλος του κόσμου.
On September 28, 2015, skywatchers will enjoy a total lunar eclipse at “Supermoon”, when the Moon makes its closest approach to Earth and appears largest in the sky. Slooh members can join us for live coverage of this “Supermoon” eclipse on the evening of September 27.
During a lunar eclipse, the Moon passes into the Earth’s shadow. But it doesn’t completely go dark.That’s because the Sun’s light is refracted and scattered forward through our atmosphere and onto the Moon’s surface. Red light scatters least, so the Moon often takes on a striking dull red or copper color during a total lunar eclipse.
The September 28 eclipse will be the fourth and last eclipse of a tetrad, a series of four consecutive total lunar eclipses over two years. The first three were on April 15 and October 8 in 2014, and April 4, 2015. During this final eclipse of the tetrad, the Moon will appear nearly 13% larger than the total lunar eclipse of April 4, 2015, which occurred when the Moon was at its furthest from Earth. The April 4 eclipse lasted less than five minutes, but the September 28 “Supermoon” eclipse will last some 72 minutes, reaching totality 02:47 UT. The eclipse will be visible from beginning to end in central and eastern North America, all of South America, and western Europe. In western North America, the Moon will rise as the eclipse is in progress.
Some call the reddened Full Moon at eclipse a “Blood Moon”. Since this eclipse occurs at a “Supermoon”, some may no doubt call this a “Blood Supermoon”. But whatever you call it, this will be an event to remember. Mark your calendars to join Slooh for coverage of this total lunar eclipse on September 28.
Photos Cyprus 28/9/2015 by George Konstantinou















Tipula sp. - Cyprus

Tipula is a very large insect genus in the fly family Tipulidae. They are commonly known as crane flies or daddy longlegs. Worldwide there are well over a thousand species.
All species have very long, fragile legs. The male has a swollen tip to his abdomen, and the female has a pointed ovipositor which is used to push eggs into soil. The larvae of some species are root-feeding and may be called "leatherjackets"..From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

.Photos Geri 19/5/2015 by George Konstantinou



Apentanodes globosus (Reiche & Saulcy, 1857) - Cyprus

Family. Tenebrionidae

Pentanodes is a genus of beetles in the family Cerambycidae,

.Photos  Pyla 19/5/2015 by George Konstantinou

 


Adoretus pullus (Baudi 1870) - Cyprus

Adoretus is a genus of Scarabaeidae or scarab beetles in the superfamily Scarabaeoidea. They are native to Africa and Asia, and two species occur in Europe.From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

.Photos Geri 21/6/2015 by George Konstantinou



Red-legged ham beetle - Necrobia rufipes (Fabricius, 1781) - Cyprus


The red-legged ham beetleNecrobia rufipes is a predatory beetle in the family Cleridae with a cosmopolitan distribution.
The adult beetles are 3.5–7.0 millimetres (0.1–0.3 in) long, convex, straight sided, and the surface has indentations called punctures. They are shiny metallic green or greenish blue in colour. The legs and antennae are red (dark clubs). They feed on the meat-infesting larvae of Calliphora or blow flies, Dermestidae and Piophilidae. The adults are surface feeders, the larvae bore into dry or smoked meats and do most damage. The red-legged ham beetle also attacks bones, hides, copra, dried egg, cheese, guano, bone meal, dried figs, and palm nut kernels. Although refrigeration has reduced the impact of the beetle on meats they are the most significant pest of dried and salt fishincluding herring. They have been recorded in Egyptian mummies and were once known as Necrobia mumiarum Hope, 1834. Related species are Necrobia violacea which has all-dark legs and antennae and Necrobia ruficollis has light-coloured bases of theelytra (shoulders). It is not to be confused with Korynetes caeruleus also the steely blue beetle in the family Cleridae. Both beetles have a significance in forensic entomology but for different reasons.From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

.Photos Geri 26/9/2015 by George Konstantinou