12/19/2021: Meek Leidyula makes its move

One of the downsides about nocturnal animals is that while we’re up (at least, normal human beings without over-saturated schedules), they’re not. But, just like when you gotta go, you gotta go, sometimes there’s a pressing need that has to be filled that will pull even the most photophobic organism out of its slumber.

Before an evening misting I caught this Leidyula floridana peeping up through bark to satisfy what must have been a pretty strong itch to munch on some dog food. On collecting trips I’ve never seen these out and about except at night in the beams of my headlamp, so this was a neat surprise while the lights were still on in the bug room.

It has an almost bashful look about it… probably the glimmer from the eye stalks giving it that “deer in the headlights” sort of look.

-Kyle