One of the most incredible sightings during my tours this month has been a cluster of Netwing Mantis (neomantis australis) broods.   The gorgeous mothers stay very close to their eggs and some of my tour participants were lucky enough to see a few mothers, with eggs and also babies.   This is a new experience for me to see so many at the same time.

Netwing Mantis (neomantis australis) mother with eggs and babies

One of my favourite rainforest critters turned up in high numbers in both adult and nymph form.   Palm planthoppers (Magia subocellata) are easy to find once you know how and they make great models as well, as long as you don’t get too close.  They will happily stay still for a photo.

Palm planthoppers (Magia subocellata) adult and nymph

There was a sudden onset of seemingly millions of Marchflies (Family Bibionidae, in the Order Diptera), and I was able to capture breeding behaviour as well as eggs and numerous images of these harmless flies.  Their common name is confusing and misleading as most people know the name March flies as the nasty large flies that tend to hang around waterways and give a nasty bite.  These black and red elongated flies however, tend to avoid human skin, as I have never had one land on me.

Marchflies (Family Bibionidae, in the Order Diptera)

The Let’s Go Buggin Night walk on Halloween was a great success with a very enthusiastic group of buggers appreciating the Cairns Botanic Gardens rainforest boardwalk.  We found a whole range of night dwellers including lots of spiders and frogs.   The evening was captured beautifully by Jemma Craig.  Check out Jemma’s amazing images on her Facebook page – Island Jems.

Next Blog December.

Bridgette uses Olympus OMD EM1 ii, 60mm M.Zuiko lens and CygnusTech Diffuser.