I wish I had more interesting complex dynamics in my life

nymphs are dimorphic

As there is no light visible at the end of the tunnel, however, here are the latest boring updates on my specimens:

- Micrutalis nymphs and adults are still doing well. The ones that aren't being eaten, I mean. At night little spiders sometimes show up and bite them, apparently whatever they sequester from their host isn't enough to protect them from Generic Generalist Predators. It seems that bringing their host indoors causes subtle phytochemical changes that may(?) make them freak out and die which is why I've been leaving them outdoors. The ones in the pic seem to be last instar btw.

- On the other hand Xerophloea peltata are both still alive and enjoying the great indoors. I saw the green one oviposit last night.

- I've been calling my non-gemmiferous Mysterious Fern-Type Gametophyte Thing the "noniridescent gametophyte" but recently noted it does apparently iridesce under certain conditions? Will post photo later cause I'm unmotivated but I got a photo of it doing that. The fact that the first two ferns I've grown have been doing that suggest that iridescence is a widespread and undernoticed phenomenon in fern gametophytes in general.

- That one Cryptocephalus larva still hasn't pupated like its brethren. It's been in its drought dormancy mode for the past weeks, I've been slacking on its care from depression. It doesn't seem to mind too much fortunately, I'd feel bad if it did.

- The nearly legless Eleodes has been refusing to hide under its cardboard these past months for some reason. I've repeatedly tried changing its substrate, changing its hides, nothing seems to work. This is not a problem for which caresheets offer any help. I nevertheless have a feeling I'm about to be figuring things out.

- Cylindrodesmus-type millipedes continue to breed, eat cereal, etc.

- Calasterella recovering from a watering mistake I made but otherwise isn't doing anything. Some of the chinese and other exotic cryptogams are still alive.

- Dodders and other angiosperms not doing anything worth my time to mention.