Post your insects

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Originally Posted by Geoff F

Orlando, do you get 'Hummingbird Moths' where you live? (Sphingidae overall family)

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Thanks for identifying this. These weren't found near my home. It was found north of New York City. There were many of these and I've never seen them before. But the name fits exactly.

During a brief brighter spell. But the bee is hanging on tightly against a fresh wind.

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Bombus pascuorum on a Nicandra flower.

Just found this huge grasshopper on my balcon. The eyes should make identification quite sure: Anacridium aegyptium, late for its life cycle thanks to the incredibly warm autumn this year. I post two pictures because I cannot make up my mind to the better one.


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http://i50.tinypic.com/2l9ih5l.jpg

The first one has the best background, Franci, but the second is a good face angle. Both good sharp shots.

A species which we don't get in the UK.

I went for a walk in the woods on Sunday. Very wet underfoot but sunny overhead for a change.

Didn't expect to see much insect life but found a few of these unusual hoverflies basking on a tree trunk.

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Ferdinandea cuprea. No common name, but cuprea refers to the coppery abdomen colour.

And this afternoon, in my garden, I discovered this Knotgrass caterpillar hanging on against a stiff breeze.

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Thanks for your advice, Geoff. I guess that you use a tripod even during a walk in the woods. My problem is that carrying around a tripod makes me feeling like Woody Allen in 'Take the money and run', when he played cello in a street band!

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Syrphidae

Franci, nice looking detail on that grasshopper.
Geoff, love the colours on that caterpillar. Would you believe I saw only one of them this year?

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Originally Posted by Franci

Thanks for your advice, Geoff. I guess that you use a tripod even during a walk in the woods. My problem is that carrying around a tripod makes me feeling like Woody Allen in 'Take the money and run', when he played cello in a street band!

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Yes, that was certainly a very funny scene. Simple old fashioned visual humour which worked so well.

When carrying my tripod around, I strap it to the outside of my camera backpack and when walking around ready for action I tuck the legs under my arm. In much the same way as a farmer etc would carry a shotgun in similar circumstances.

But I do avoid popular areas by choosing different times (an advantage of being retired) or get off the regular tracks. I do hate being disturbed when on a wild bug hunt. :D

ps. Yes Peter, caterpillars have been rather scarce so far this year. But quite a few species appear briefly in the autumn then sleep through the colder periods and emerge during the Spring to complete their growth prior to pupation.

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I originally wondered if this large Cranefly was Tipula maxima but after asking for advice then checking the identification keys I now realise it is Pedicia rivosa; no easy common name.

A first time for me with this species.

Wingspan is a little over 2 ins.

Not an ideal choice of background but I was shooting through a hole in the foliage to get any possible identifiable angle.

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Cup moth caterpillar I think.

I wouldn't like to offer any suggestions on Australian caterpillars, Rob. The simple UK species are difficult enough for me.

And here is a common little UK butterfly which I always find difficult to photograph. I've tried many times and nearly always end up by ditching the results.

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And with wings closed.

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Small Copper - Lycaena phlaeas.

They tend to lurk low down amongst the foliage which can make camera angles difficult. Also, shiny scales on the upper surface cause hot spots and colour distortions.

Looks like it's mating time!

A pair of Spiked Shieldbugs.

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And Froghoppers. You can see an egg on the female's tail about to be flicked under that leaf. A previous egg is just visible on the far left.

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I'll give it a go. This little fellow jumped in the golf cart with me and stayed on the camera bag, long enough for me to take his photo.

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I notice he has lost an antennae; which often happens in the rough world of insect life.

Good detail on the eye.

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Originally Posted by Geoff F

I notice he has lost an antennae; which often happens in the rough world of insect life.

Good detail on the eye.

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It could have happened when he flew in the cart with me in it.

While photographing some ladybugs I noticed this guy on the end of a twig.

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Originally Posted by Anne22

While photographing some ladybugs I noticed this guy on the end of a twig.

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Lovely photo Anne and great colours in there as well.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8287/7...e4a99b21_b.jpg

maniola jurtina

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Originally Posted by Anne22

While photographing some ladybugs I noticed this guy on the end of a twig.

http://i49.tinypic.com/1zbvqzo.jpg

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I love the red color! Don't see that around here.

I do not know the official name of this guy.

I was out in the garden to test an old Nikon 60mm f/2.8 AF-D a friend of mine lent me, and I found this little insect.

http://i48.tinypic.com/fop0fl.jpg

The other parameters are: 1/250sec, f/18, ISO800