cleaning up the observatory

[Dietmar]

hi guys,

since the weather is no good for astrophotography, I cleaned my observatory a bit - that is - I let it clean, as you can see;)
http://www.stargazer-observatory.com/astropics/various/kids-cleaningup.jpg

thanx Felix and Emma for helping me!

what we found were these little guys:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Forficula_auricularia.jpg/473px-Forficula_auricularia.jpg

they are harmless, since in europe they are onyl a thrid of an inch long.

it is interesting to learn in the internet about that creatures: there are more than 1800 different kinds of these AND - now watch out my "down under friends" - at your continent they are said to grow up to 2.5 inches!!!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Dermaptera_fg1.jpg/800px-Dermaptera_fg1.jpg

has anyone living in Asutralia ever seen these guys?
when I told my kids and wife about that they were shocked!
:D
:eyepop:
I always thought Australia holds some nice animals like kangoroos, wallaroos and wallabies, koalas aso.

whow! what is causing this enormous difference in size?

[Ric]

Hi Dietz, we call them "Earwigs", harmless little beggars. Heres a tip, apparently if you plant Marigold flowers it helps to keep them away.

Now when you find one of these lads in the house everyone sits up and takes notice.

Cheers

[Glenhuon]

They grow big here cause they hunt in packs an eat the walabies ;)

Never seen one @ 2 1/2 inches, about an inch maybe. Biggest thing I ever saw was just after I came here in '81. I was working on a building site and we lifted a concrete ring with the crane and this centipede ran out, must have been all of 10 inches long and about 1 1/2 wide. Mate told me to step on it, but no fear, reckoned it would run off with me.:)