"Evil" termite - Cryptotermed dudleyi

[ItalianTermiteMan]

Here we have a beautiful macro by David Mora del Pozo of a Cryptotermes dudleyi soldier from Jamaica.

Though at first glance this critter seems to sport rather unsettling red eyes and even nostrils, making up for a quite "demonic" facade, that's in fact it's just a product of paredolia as these soldiers obviously lack nostrils and also eyes (which even if present would be located in another spot entirely, on the sides of the head a bit behind the antennal sockets). Their heavily sclerotized and frontally truncated heads are especially designed to plug the narrow tunnels of their wood-excavated nests, while a pair of robust toothed mandibles remain ready to inflict tenacious bites to any interloper within reach.

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Well now that's a neat little creature. Kinda looks like a Ganoderma left on the log too long, LoL

 

[Ratmosphere]

Stunning picture, would make a dope reference for a Halloween mask. Nature is wild!