Model warship combat is an international club activity, in which participants construct radio-controlled scale models of actual warships, most commonly those built by various nations prior to 1946, such as the USS Des Moines or the German battleship Bismarck. The models are armed with pneumatic cannons, and fight against one another on ponds and lakes.
The gumboot chiton is the largest species of chiton, a type of marine mollusk found along the rocky coasts of the North Pacific, from California to Alaska and across to Japan. Known for its reddish-brown, leathery mantle that covers its eight armored plates, the gumboot chiton is often referred to as the "wandering meatloaf" due to its appearance. It can grow up to 36 cm (14 inches) in length and feeds primarily on algae, which it scrapes off rocks using its radula, a tongue-like organ studded with rows of teeth.
Camel Trophy was an off-road vehicle-oriented competition that was held annually between 1980 and 2000. It was best known for its use of Land Rover vehicles over challenging terrain. The event took its name from its main sponsor, the Camel cigarette brand.
The gyro monorail is a single rail land vehicle that uses the gyroscopic action of a spinning wheel to overcome the inherent instability of balancing on top of a single rail.
The Bond Bug is a wedge-shaped microcar, with a lift-up canopy and side screens instead of conventional doors.
The Hustler is a unique, modular automobile designed by British industrial designer William Towns and produced by his company, Interstyl, in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Best known for its unconventional aesthetic and versatility, the Hustler epitomized Towns' vision of a practical yet distinctive vehicle that stood apart from traditional car designs.
The Windward Performance Perlan 2 is an experimental research glider that was designed by Greg Cole. On 2 September 2, 2018, it reached an altitude of 76,124 ft (23,203 m), surpassing the 73,737 ft (22,475 m) attained by Jerry Hoyt on April 17, 1989 in a Lockheed U-2.
Ghost apples are a natural phenomenon that occurs in certain conditions during the winter months in apple orchards, particularly in regions with cold climates. These peculiar apparitions resemble translucent, icy shells suspended from tree branches, resembling ghostly versions of the fruit they once were. Ghost apples are formed through a combination of freezing rain and subsequent thawing. When freezing rain coats the apples on the tree, it forms a layer of ice around the fruit. If temperatures rise suddenly after the freezing rain, the apples may thaw and decompose, leaving only the icy shell of the apple behind. As the rotten fruit falls out or is picked by harvesters, the hollow ice shell remains, giving rise to the ghostly appearance. Ghost apples typically have a delicate, ethereal appearance, with a translucent outer layer resembling ice. Inside, they are hollow, devoid of the fruit pulp and seeds that would typically fill an apple.
The Emerald Cockroach Wasp (Ampulex compressa) is a remarkable parasitoid wasp species known for its unique and sophisticated method of incapacitating cockroaches to serve as hosts for its larvae. Found in tropical regions worldwide, particularly in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands, this small but extraordinary insect has garnered significant attention from scientists and enthusiasts alike for its fascinating behavior and intricate life cycle. The life cycle of the Emerald Cockroach Wasp begins when a female wasp seeks out a suitable host cockroach, typically the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana). Upon locating a target, the wasp delivers a precise sting to the cockroach's thorax, injecting venom that temporarily paralyzes its front legs. After paralyzing the cockroach, the female wasp leads it to a burrow or other secluded location, where it lays a single egg on the cockroach's abdomen. Remarkably, the venom injected by the wasp alters the behavior of the cockroach, rendering it docile and compliant. The cockroach remains alive but immobile, allowing the wasp larva to feed on its tissues without resistance. As the wasp larva develops, it consumes the internal organs of the cockroach while avoiding vital areas to keep it alive as long as possible. Once the larva completes its development, it pupates within the cockroach's body, eventually emerging as an adult wasp.
Glyptapanteles is a genus of parasitoid wasps belonging to the family Braconidae, known for their fascinating and intricate reproductive strategy. These tiny insects, typically measuring only a few millimeters in length, play a crucial role in regulating populations of various host insects in ecosystems worldwide. The life cycle of Glyptapanteles begins when adult female wasps lay their eggs inside the bodies of caterpillars, typically belonging to species in the moth family. Once the eggs hatch, the wasp larvae develop and feed on the internal tissues of the caterpillar host. What makes Glyptapanteles particularly remarkable is their manipulation of the behavior of their host caterpillars. Instead of immediately killing the caterpillar, the larvae release chemicals that alter its behavior, causing it to act as a bodyguard for the developing wasp larvae. As the larvae mature within the caterpillar's body, they induce the caterpillar to guard them against potential predators. Remarkably, the caterpillar will fiercely defend the developing wasp larvae against any threats, even sacrificing its own life in the process. Once the wasp larvae complete their development, they emerge from the caterpillar's body, often killing it in the process. The adult wasps then mate, and the females seek out new host caterpillars to continue the cycle.