Favoritos de edanko

Kudos to @ivanparr for choosing a great spot for these. We found them exclusively on the undersides of rather rotten hardwood logs and branches (mostly of Umbellularia californica), generally on shoulders above the creek where there was ample soil moisture. They were ~1.5 mm long (photo with the green ruler has mm as the minor lines), a bit more purple-toned than Megacina cockerelli, and considerably less active and prone to run away than that species. They would remain in that "leg cage" posture for many, many minutes before deciding to relocate. Juveniles seemed much more active than the adults.

This is actually the undescribed species near sericea described by Bullington in his unpublished 1986 thesis. It is given a manuscript name there but the name doesn't meet ICZN criteria for publication. It differs from sericea by the more strongly-arched shelf of the hypandrium, and by the unforked mesal process.

Both this year and last year from late March through early April I have found these drifting through the water column in a small tributary draining from a sedge/cattail marsh through alder swamp and into the larger stream. Water temp was 38 degrees F. ID very uncertain, but has 6 tiny legs near the distinct head, and then also at least three pairs of leg-like appendages down the body (see later photos). A larvae, perhaps of a Diptera?

Kleinmond coccinea shelter reared

9 April 2019:

26 May 2019:

18 June 2019:

31 July 2019:

I found this guy/girl (@edanko insists on calling it a "she") on my bed when I was sitting down for a meeting. I'm planning on keeping it for some time so I can learn more about the species! If anyone has suggestions or ideas feel free to comment them.