painting by my friend Maia Hisamoto
R.I.P.
The Goliath stick insect (Eurycnema goliath)
… is the second largest stick insect (after the Titan stick insect) in Australia, and though not as long, the insect has a heavier, sturdier build. The first instar of a nymph is small, brown, and ant-like, without wings, however the adult insects are green and yellow, though colors can slightly vary, are very large, and have wings. Both sexes of the Goliath stick insect are apple green with hints of gold, purple, red and yellow. Colourful patterns on the underside of the wings of Goliaths are used as a defence tactic in order to ward off predators. The females can reach lengths of up to 20 cm.
The eggs of the Goliath stick insect look like seeds, so that common ants may take them underground, allowing them to hatch in safety. Males are smaller, slimmer, and darker in color as compared to females. While both sexes have wings, only the lightweight males can fly, as the females have a large, heavy abdomen which gives them limited, if any flight.
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!!!!!!!! so beautiful !!!!!!!!
In my craft or sullen art Exercised in the still night When only the moon rages And the lovers lie abed With all their griefs in their arms, I labor by singing light Not for ambition or bread Or the strut and trade of charms On the ivory stages But for the common wages Of their most secret heart. Not for the proud man apart From the raging moon I write On these spindrift pages Nor for the towering dead With their nightingales and psalms But for the lovers, their arms Round the griefs of the ages, Who pay no praise or wages Nor heed my craft or art.
- Dylan Thomas