Enigmatic white insect sparks learning frenzy on Thai social media

[snoop1130]

 

A recent social media post sparked curiosity and learning among netizens after one user shared an image of an enigmatic white insect, discovered in sandy soil, prompting a flurry of guesses and expert identification.

 

The post, which was shared in a Facebook group dedicated to identifying mysterious creatures, depicted a small, white insect with long antennae. The uploader, seeking insights from fellow group members, inquired about the creature’s identity after encountering it within the sandy terrain.

 

Quickly attracting the attention of knowledgeable individuals, the mystery was soon resolved. It was identified as the larval stage of an antlion, a type of insect known for its transformation into a winged adult capable of flight. This revelation sparked further discussion as some members of the group added that in their local dialect, the creature is colloquially referred to as ตุ๊ดตู่.

 

Further inquiries led to comparisons with another insect, the dragonfly, commonly known as แมงปอเข็ม in Thai. An expert clarified that, despite some similarities, these are distinct species with different life cycles. Dragonfly larvae live in water and, upon reaching maturity, shed their exoskeleton to reveal their adult form with two pairs of wings, unlike antlions, which have a different developmental journey, reported Sanook.

 

 

This exchange of information turned out to be quite enlightening for many participants. Several admitted to having previously believed the antlion was a type of dragonfly. The clarification not only dispelled this misconception but also prompted the sharing of childhood memories and experiences with these insects.

 

One user expressed newfound knowledge, having always assumed the larval stage was the creature’s full maturity and was unaware of its evolutionary potential. Another reminisced about childhood days spent blowing sand in search of these insects to play with by making them bite onto things humorously.

 

Yet another individual, approaching 40 years old, was surprised to learn about the insect’s dual forms, revealing a common childhood misconception of considering the larval stage as the adult form.

 

The thread became a platform for nostalgia and education, highlighting how even common creatures in our environment can hold secrets and surprises, revealing the continuous nature of learning and discovery, no matter one’s age.

 

By Samantha Rose

Caption: Picture courtesy of Sanook

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-09

 

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[quake]

And the latest news.

Lady Somchai has just mixed them all up with a dollop of Pla Ra.

and consumed them all. Aroy. mak mak.

New Species, possible Extinction.

TIT. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 9 by quake

[Pouatchee]

the foto has been zoomed in considerably. this is one of those nasty little bugs that gather on the underleaf of plants. they congregate by the dozens and they look like white goop. nothing mysterious here... just 4got the name

[dinsdale]

Another magnificant article from The Thaiger GPT. This is what ChatGPT looks like.

4 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Quickly attracting the attention of knowledgeable individuals, the mystery was soon resolved.

 

4 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This exchange of information turned out to be quite enlightening for many participants.

 

4 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The clarification not only dispelled this misconception but also prompted the sharing of childhood memories and experiences with these insects.

 

4 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

One user expressed newfound knowledge, having always assumed the larval stage was the creature’s full maturity and was unaware of its evolutionary potential.

 

4 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Another reminisced about childhood days spent blowing sand in search of these insects to play with by making them bite onto things humorously.

 

4 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Yet another individual, approaching 40 years old, was surprised to learn about the insect’s dual forms, revealing a common childhood misconception of considering the larval stage as the adult form.

 

4 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The thread became a platform for nostalgia and education, highlighting how even common creatures in our environment can hold secrets and surprises, revealing the continuous nature of learning and discovery, no matter one’s age.

 

[rwill]

13 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

the foto has been zoomed in considerably. this is one of those nasty little bugs that gather on the underleaf of plants. they congregate by the dozens and they look like white goop. nothing mysterious here... just 4got the name

They do look similar to mealybugs but these are different.

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

It was identified as the larval stage of an antlion, a type of insect known for its transformation into a winged adult capable of flight

Sounds like a certain influential person we all know.

[mikebell]

How do the experts know they are enigmatic?  Have the bugs been interviewed?

[loong]

16 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

the foto has been zoomed in considerably. this is one of those nasty little bugs that gather on the underleaf of plants. they congregate by the dozens and they look like white goop. nothing mysterious here... just 4got the name

I think that you are probably confusing them with whitefly larvae that you find on the underside of leaves or aphids that you tend to find on stems.

[AgMech Cowboy]

22 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

the foto has been zoomed in considerably. this is one of those nasty little bugs that gather on the underleaf of plants. they congregate by the dozens and they look like white goop. nothing mysterious here... just 4got the name

@Pouatchee I think you're looking for the name 'aphid'.  Indeed, I think it looks like them, too.

[Pouatchee]

37 minutes ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

@Pouatchee I think you're looking for the name 'aphid'.  Indeed, I think it looks like them, too.

 

that's the name ; )  . i forgot it my memory is getting really bad. i just sprayed me egg plants today due to beginning of infestation. these buggers are relentless. seems it doesnt take much to get thais in an uproar. real kiddies they are

[maxcorrigan]

On 4/10/2024 at 7:35 AM, hotchilli said:

Sounds like a certain influential person we all know.

You mean Bob Smith?

[Korat Kiwi]

These are mealy bugs: