On First Wednesday, Rosie found an exuvia of something. It was interesting. So I dropped it in a small container to do a closer examination at home. Indeed, it got the full treatment as seen in today’s post.
First thing was to get the studio shot! Weird how it was stuck to a grass culm.
Second, a measurement was in order. 🙂 It was about 24 millimeters long.
Next a closer measurement!
Now a closer look. My goal was to look for legs and spiracles. Spiracles are the breathing holes for insects. All insects have them. I looked for a head as well. No luck with the dissecting microscope.
Next a look under the compound scope. The segments of the body are easy to see. However, no head, legs. or spiracles were found. 40X
So at 100X still no signs of the forementioned features.
However, brown spores of some kind seemed to be all over the exuvia! I noticed the spores after adding water to the slide.
Indeed at 400X, the spores were clear. They were about 38 microns by 13 microns. Certainly no idea what kind. Though I often see this type under the scope.
A string of something. LOL Often when I look under the microscope, I have no idea what it is. Sometimes, I will run across an answer later on.
The exuvia “skin” had bumps. I searched the entire exuvia and found no evidence of legs, head or spiracles. That doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t there. Only that I could not find them.
A side view of the bumps.
Top view.
Next stop of course was the internet. So I looked for different critters that I guessed it might be. Millipedes I thought. They have segments and perhaps the legs were not on the exuvia. However, they have spiracles too. None were found. What else? Worms? Worms breathe through their skins. Would a worm climb a culm? I found that if there was enough moisture, an earthworm would on occasion climb. And they do have tiny hairs/bristles on the underside. No hairs. Of course, there are gads of species.
In conclusion, it will be a mystery for now. An accordingly, it will be named Rosie’s exuvia in my photo collection. Indeed thanks to Rosie for providing me with my day’s entertainment! Final question: Rosie do you want the exuvia back?
I love this!! Of course I have very little experience so when I see something interesting I run it over to Mrs Mary, and am so grateful for your knowledge!
Thanks for telling about the exuvia. And thanks Rosie for finding it. Love the fossils.
I checked my fossils and some did fluorescence. Like the heart fossils from your creek. 😊
Thank you Rosie.
The spores at 400X were neat looking.
I love this!! Of course I have very little experience so when I see something interesting I run it over to Mrs Mary, and am so grateful for your knowledge!
You have a sharp eye, Ms Rosie! Stay curious is my motto too
I can’t think of a better place for it to stay than in your collection!
In the pile it goes then. 😉
An interesting mystery!
Very cool! Way to go, Rosie!