if i had a conscience...

... i wouldn't put up most of the stuff you'll see on here.

sue me

sciencesoup:

Golden Tortoise Beetle

Though it looks exceedingly pretty and jewel-like, this little beetle is actually incredibly metal. At just 5 to 8 millimetres long, the Golden Tortoise Beetle (Charidotella sexpunctata) is native to North America, found on plants such as sweet potato and morning glory. But upset one of these little guys and things change very quickly—they are the first known insect species to have the ability to rapidly change colour, not only when agitated but also during copulation (which, according to the very dedicated Edward M. Barrows of Georgetown University, can last anywhere from 15 to 583 minutes). The beetle has been observed to turn a variety of shades, from liquid gold to purplish to greenish gold to brownish to bright red. These colours are produced by an optical illusion: the beetle’s outer cuticle is transparent and it reflects light through a layer of liquid, and the beetles can alter the reflectivity of this liquid by using microscopic valves controlling moisture levels under their shell. Such reversible colour change is extremely rare, especially since the change is controlled: it’s elicited in response to specific events in their environment, whether it’s finding a mate or being annoyed by curious humans. Researchers speculate that it serves some interesting purposes, from defence (perhaps by mimicking ladybugs, which aren’t as tasty to their predators) to sexual signalling to mates. Be warned, though: if you catch one of these beetles, it will quickly turn a dark, dull brown, losing all the brilliant gold it had in life. To finish on an incredibly hardcore note: as larvae, the beetle has a fork-like structure hinged to its rear end, and will stick old skin and their own faeces to it, creating a shield for defence—otherwise known as a faecal parasol. Told you these little guys were metal.

(Image Credit: 1, 2, 3)

(via clatko)

leslieseuffert:

  • China Danxia is a UNSECO World Heritage Site and the name given in China to landscapes developed on continental red terrigenous sedimentary beds influenced by endogenous forces (including uplift) and exogenous forces (including weathering and erosion). The inscribed site comprises six areas found in the sub-tropical zone of south-west China.

    They are characterized by spectacular red cliffs and a range of erosional landforms, including dramatic natural pillars, towers, ravines, valleys and waterfalls. These rugged landscapes have helped to conserve sub-tropical broad-leaved evergreen forests, and host many species of flora and fauna, about 400 of which are considered rare or threatened.

    Below you will find an incredible gallery of these painted landscapes in Southern China along with additional information from UNESCO about China Danxia. Enjoy!

    [via UNESCO, The Telegraph]

(via crookedindifference)

futurefantastic:

badtvblog:

Don’t watch this if you’re soaked in gasoline because it will warm your heart and you will burn to death and die.

THAT WAS THE CUTEST THING I’VE EVER SEEN OH MY GOD OH MY GOD I’M DYING

(Source: youtube.com, via robingoodfollow)