Insects and other Critters of Kruger, by Joan Young

Insects and other Critters of Kruger, by Joan Young. Penguin Random House South Africa. Imprint: Struik Nature. Cape Town, South Africa 2023. ISBN 9781775848219 / ISBN 978-1-77-584821-9

The hidden world of insects and other critters of Kruger National Park, described by Joan Young.

The small creatures featured in this guide play an indispensable role in the Park - without them, there could be no Park. Invertebrates are a source of food for larger animals, such as insect-eating birds, monkeys, mongooses, cats, badgers and many others. The aardwolf (a small hyaena species), for instance, feeds exclusively on termites. Some creepy-crawlies are predators themselves, such as spiders, which are skilled hunters. They keep populations in check, including those of pest species such as mosquitoes. Even parasites have their place: scientists have introduced insects from North America to control the invasive prickly pear, keeping the Park's natural vegetation from being displaced by this alien cactus. Bees, butterflies and beetles are among the Park's greatest pollinators. As they move from plant to plant to feed, they cross-fertilise flowers, enabling seed development. Without them, many plant species would go extinct, as would the larger herbivores that feed on them. Many insect species shape their surroundings: termites build towering homes that are recycled as nests or viewing platforms by other residents; and tunnelling insects maintain soil structure, keeping the ground from becoming hard and barren. Insects also break down waste and clean up the environment - dung beetles feed on dung pats, and flies clean up the last scraps of carrion at a kill.

Viewing tips

Insects are found everywhere in the Park, but the camps and picnic places are ideal for taking a walk to see what you can discover. Have patience: you may need to stay still and watch for many minutes before spotting any of the smaller wildlife in the surroundings. If you approach insects too closely, they may drop off their leaf or flower and escape. They are more likely to stay where they are if you approach them slowly and quietly. Some insects such as bees and butterflies prefer certain plant species. Walk in the veld where permitted, and learn to identify such species. Some insects are attracted to lights at night -it is worth looking out for moths and other creatures that visit lanterns and outside lights. Some species, such as water scorpions and damselflies, are found near water. Many insects are masters of disguise! Look carefully - they often mimic sticks, leaves or bark and you may not notice them unless they move.

Photographing creepy-crawlies

Practise holding your camera steady - in macro photography, the slightest movement will blur the picture. A bean bag is helpful in some cases, but if you have nowhere to rest your camera, tuck your elbow into your stomach to steady your hand. Hold your breath for the instant you press the shutter. Be aware of the sun and don't allow your shadow to cross the subject. Kneel or even lie on your belly for a better angle. Have patience: you may have to take many shots from different angles in order to get the perfect one. A startled insect may play dead, in which case its pose won't look natural. If you stay very still, it will 'revive'. In some cases, such as with dragonflies, first sit and watch them for a while. You will see that they tend to land on the same stick or piece of grass every time. You can then move nearer to this spot, get your camera ready and sit quietly waiting for them to return. The more patient you are, the greater will be the rewards. [...]

This is an excerpt from Insects and other Critters of Kruger, by Joan Young.

Title: Insects and other Critters of Kruger
Author: Joan Young
Series: nature now
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Imprint: Struik Nature
Cape Town, South Africa 2023
ISBN 9781775848219 / ISBN 978-1-77-584821-9
Softcover, 13 x 17 cm, 176 pages, throughout colour photos