The initial part of the trip was plagued by winged termites that came in hordes, attracted by my torch light. Here's a shot of a pseudoscorpion feasting on a winged termite.
The first beetle of the trip was a small 2 mm Darkling Beetle on the side of a tree. It was really a challenge to photograph this beetle due to the constant bombardment of the winged termites that got attracted by my focus light.
Next to the Darkling Beetle on another tree were several of this beetle larvae.
On a low bush near to the beetle larvae was a commonly encountered Chafer Beetle (Adoretus compressus).
As I entered an area of low trees, I was pleasantly surprised to find a Click Beetle (Pectocera babai) under a leaf.
Near to the Click Beetle was a lone Chafer Beetle on a stalk of tall grass. While reviewing the photographs for this blog, I realized that there was a super tiny mite on the beetle.
Fortunately the winged-termite "attack" ceased and I was able to concentrate and found this 3 mm first-time-encountered Weevil Beetle. It was a challenge to photograph this beetle as it was high up on a tree branch.
After a short walk, this Chafer Beetle (Apogonia expeditionis) was found on a grass.
Near to the Chafer Beetle was a large Elephant Ear plant and under one of the leaves was this Ant-like Flower Beetle (Anthelephila cyanea). Noticed the two tiny mites that were on the leaf also.
A stone's throw away was this small 3 mm first-time-encountered beetle found resting on a blade of grass. Not sure what type of beetle this is but it looked like a Toe-winged Beetle.
The highlight of the trip was the encounter of this first-time-encountered blue colored Darkling Beetle. It was also during this time that I was "attacked" by several small brownish red ants. Although it was only several of these ants that got under my pants, the bites were enough to stop me from photographing this lovely beetle.
This reminded me of a documentary on how the Taiwanese dealt with a massive fire-ant infestation in their country. Having seen how badly these ants have infested Admiralty Park, I sincerely hoped that our NPark would take some measures to curb the spread of these ants in our parks.
After hastily left the blue Darkling Beetle, I was glad to find this and several others Tiger Beetles (Cicindela aurulenta) on some low bushes.
Walking further down the trail, a Darkling Beetle (Strongylium tenuipes) was found on a small tree.
Near to the Darkling Beetle was another small 2 mm Darkling Beetle.
Moving to a woodpile, this 5 mm Darkling Beetle was found hiding under a log.
On the same log was a Ground Beetle (Catascopus dalbertisi) next to an interesting looking fungus mushroom.
On another log in the same woodpile was a Fungus Weevil (Eucorynus crassicornis). The pattern on the Fungus Weevil really helped the beetle blend into its background.
Still at the same woodpile, a pair of mating 10 mm Darkling Beetle on the side of a rotting log.
Moving on, a Fungus Beetle (Eumorphus assamensis) was resting at the base of a small tree.
On another tree near by was this Fungus Weevil which looked very much like the Eumorphus assamensis beetle, except for the red coloration on its elytra. Not sure if they are the same species or a different but related species.
The last beetle for the trip was a small 2 mm Darkling Beetle.
The trip was very fruitful with the encounter of 3 first-time-encountered beetles. With no doubt Venus Drive is the place to find beetles even if the weather condition may not be that ideal.
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