The bodies of water and the low spontaneous vegetation present in fallow lands (natural pastures) and undercover of montados and olive groves shelter a rich micro-fauna of invertebrates (insects and arachnids).
In the spring, the multicolored “carpets” of flowering spontaneous plants are invaded by butterflies as the painted-lady, the small heath and the clouded yellow, among many others typical of these fields since it is there that they find host plants as the starry clover. Near the bodies of water, the common water strider and several species of dragonflies, whose life-cycle goes through a stage on the surface or in the water, are dominant. Among these aquatic insects stands out the banded groundling, which forms groups of males and females that are seen on the ground or flying near the groung.
In the summer there are insects better adapted to the heat as the Egyptian locust, the Mediterranean mantis and the Iberian dung beetle, which carries out the decomposition of livestock excrement, turning it into inorganic matter that can then be used by plants.
In the autumn, the females of wasp sider build large and remarkable webs between high plants or branches of trees.
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SCIENTIFIC NAME: Argiope bruennichi
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It presents a characteristic pattern of black sinuous lines between alternating white and yellow bands.
Constructs a large radial web, approximately 30cm in diameter, without concealment and slightly inclined. To build it, fold some leaves and branches of herbs, securing them with silk threads one by one. After creating the necessary space, connect the herbs with the structure threads and only then starts the construction.
In the mating season, the male moves in search of the females. When it finds one, it enters its web making it vibrate with the previous paws. At this signal, if the female is receptive, the mating is given. In the final phase of this, and without notice, the females attack the males that eat us next. Rarely does a male survive mating.
When disturbed, it moves quickly to the herbs where it holds the upper part of the web or vibrates the web so that it becomes more difficult to distinguish it among the herbs. If you feel threatened, drop yourself onto the ground hanging from a safety line.
Although harmless, the sting of this species causes localized pain.
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SCIENTIFIC NAME: Colias croceus
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It is a regular presence in the fallow, where they deposit the eggs individually in host plants, like the clover or the lucerne.
The caterpillars grow quickly and form the chrysalis at the end of a month. After two to three weeks the butterflies are born.
Unmistakable, it has the lower part of the wings yellowish-green, in the back wing a white pint and in the front wing a black pint. The female has yellow spots and broad marginal black edges, nonexistent in the male.
As soon as it lands it closes the wings, hiding the orange tone of the upper face of the wings.
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SCIENTIFIC NAME: Heliotaurus ruficollis
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This small beetle can be seen in the spring normally in flowers of the daisy family.
It is black with the area of the red neck, hence its name and has limited distribution to the Iberian peninsula.
Its length can reach 16 mm.
Although it is very important in pollination, when transporting the pollen when visiting the flowers, this species is phytophagous. That is, it feeds on plants so when in excess it can become harmful to some agricultural crops.
CEAVG - Centro de Educação Ambiental do Vale Gonçalinho
(LPN - Liga para a Protecção da Natureza)
Apartado 84
7780-909 Castro Verde
Contacts
PH.: 286 328 309 / 286 322 246 / 968 523 648
Fax.: 286 328 316
E-mail: lpn.cea-castroverde@lpn.pt
GPS Coordinates: Latitude - 37°44´11.03"N; Longitude - 8°1´53.79"W
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