Don Balke: Pine Woods Treefrog, Blind Click Beetle,

Artist: Don Balke
1932 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 2002
Image Size: 6 by 7 inches
Overall Size: 12.5 by 13.5 inches
Medium: Water color on water color paper

One of 74 amphibians living along the coastal plain of the southeastern U.S., the small (1-1.5") pine woods treefrog (Hyla femoralis) has a reddish-brown to graygreen color that serves as camouflage against pine bark. Sticky toe-discs allow it to climb trees where it lives during warm months. The treefrog overwinters under damp fallen logs or pine snags, and in the mating season moves to grassy marshes. Nicknamed "Morse Code Frog," the male emits a series of raspy, rapidly-clicking telegraph sounds -- "dik-dik-dikadikadika" -- and a group of them sounds like a chorus of riveting machines. It is a nocturnal feeder that preys upon insects including the click beetle (Alaus myops) which can be as large as the treefrog itself. On warm days the flat, brown click beetle emerges from ground litter. Turned upside down by a predator, it can right itself by snapping a spine on the underside of the thorax, launching the beetle with a "click" several inches into the air. If that doesn't work it pulls in its antennae and legs and plays "possum" until the predator loses interest.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.S. 34¢ Pine woods Treefrog and Blind Click Beetle stamp issued April 26, 2002.

Artwork Copyright © 2002 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB16971

US$ Price: $990.00

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