Post your insects

**GeorgeM** · 31st August 2011, 01:37 AM

I'm trying to follow the guidelines for macro shooting: tripod, remote shutter release, flash. I used my Sigma 70-300 on my D90. Bounced flash.

gmont katydid_9581 by gmontjr, on Flickr

**ScoutR** · 31st August 2011, 05:04 AM

I really could have done without seeing this, but once seen it had to be investigated. I believe this is a Yellow and Black Garden spider. It is very large which makes me think it is a female and also makes me wonder if the monstrosity in the web is an egg sac. I read that they can lay up to 1000 eggs which hatch in the fall but the babies stay in the sac till the spring. Not sure how accurate that info is. If anyone that studies bugs has any idea what's in the web, let me know. I've zoomed in on it and I can't make out what it is, but visibly it is plausible that I'm seeing little spider parts in there. I just can't bare to zoom in and look at it for very long.

Wendy

**Letrow** · 31st August 2011, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by ScoutR

I really could have done without seeing this, but once seen it had to be investigated. I believe this is a Yellow and Black Garden spider. It is very large which makes me think it is a female and also makes me wonder if the monstrosity in the web is an egg sac. I read that they can lay up to 1000 eggs which hatch in the fall but the babies stay in the sac till the spring. Not sure how accurate that info is. If anyone that studies bugs has any idea what's in the web, let me know. I've zoomed in on it and I can't make out what it is, but visibly it is plausible that I'm seeing little spider parts in there. I just can't bare to zoom in and look at it for very long.

Wendy

From what I see in my garden I would say that this is prey. An eggsac wouldn't be in the web (too risky), but in a small corner. It would like a little sac of silk with something inside.
I agree, she isn't the prettiest to look at

**Geoff F** · 31st August 2011, 08:00 PM

That has worked fine, George.

Incidentally, I gave using a remote shutter release for most of my insect shots. I found it was too time consuming for those 'quick before it flies/runs away' shots which meant I was missing opportunities, even with taping the release control to the tripod. And if I use a shutter speed of 1/250 to overcome wind rock/subject movement I find that careful operation of 'direct finger' works just as well.

**NoCard** · 31st August 2011, 08:25 PM

I think this is called a Damsel Fly?
I caught it by a river in May.

Camera Panasonic DMC-FZ45
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 108 mm
ISO Speed 80

**TobyMac** · 31st August 2011, 08:31 PM

Got these shots in Germany a couple of months ago, I used a canon 350D and a 100mm macro lens, really love that lens.

Bee2 by Tobias Weber, on Flickr

Bee4 by Tobias Weber, on Flickr

**Bobobird** · 1st September 2011, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by NoCard

I think this is called a Damsel Fly?
I caught it by a river in May.

Yes. Damsels are smaller and have upright wings whereas dragons are larger and have spread out wings.

Very nice shot btw, I really like how the light falls on the wings.

**Letrow** · 1st September 2011, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by NoCard

I think this is called a Damsel Fly?
I caught it by a river in May.

Camera Panasonic DMC-FZ45
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 108 mm
ISO Speed 80

Great detail on the wings. Good shot.

**Letrow** · 1st September 2011, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by TobyMac

Got these shots in Germany a couple of months ago, I used a canon 350D and a 100mm macro lens, really love that lens.

Bee2 by Tobias Weber, on Flickr

Bee4 by Tobias Weber, on Flickr

Great shots, the composition looks very nice. I would have liked a bit more DOF though. Especially for the first one a bit more detail on the eyes would have been good. What aperture did you use?
The bokeh is great, it really brings out the subject.

**TobyMac** · 1st September 2011, 03:56 PM

Thanks Peter, I agree but I only noticed that I was off when I was home and could look at them on my PC, Aperture for the first pic was 3.5

**Geoff F** · 1st September 2011, 06:39 PM

Rob. That insect is actually a bit more special than a Damselfly.

It is a Demoiselle, and I suspect it is a male Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens).

We don't get that species where I live although I did photograph a male and female Beautiful Demoiselle, which are almost the same, last year. Nothing this year though; but I have increased my sightings of Damselfly species.

**Kris V** · 1st September 2011, 06:56 PM

What IS this?
Never saw any moths like this one before.

**NoCard** · 1st September 2011, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Geoff F

It is a Demoiselle, and I suspect it is a male Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens).

Thanks again Geoff for the ID...Flickr again updated

Aahh! Demoiselle - French for "Damsel" or "young maiden"
That make sense, as it was taken in central France - hundreds of them along the riverbanks about a month ago. I could not catch one in flight though - so very quick!

"Banded" - does that refer to the black areas on its wings?

Here are a couple more from the same outing...

**Dave Humphries** · 1st September 2011, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by NoCard

Thanks again Geoff for the ID...Flickr again updated

Aahh! Demoiselle - French for "Damsel" or "young maiden"
That make sense, as it was taken in central France - hundreds of them along the riverbanks about a month ago. I could not catch one in flight though - so very quick!

"Banded" - does that refer to the black areas on its wings?

Here are a couple more from the same outing...

Very nice Rob, and the original one.

**Dave Humphries** · 1st September 2011, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by TobyMac

Got these shots in Germany a couple of months ago, I used a canon 350D and a 100mm macro lens, really love that lens.

Bee2 by Tobias Weber, on Flickr

Bee4 by Tobias Weber, on Flickr

Hi Tobias,

I like these too, and while Peter is correct about a bit more DoF being advantageous, I'd still be pleased to have taken anything this good myself.

Well done,

**ktuli** · 2nd September 2011, 01:01 AM

Been a while since I've posted any insects, so here's a few for you...

This guy caught my eye because as it flew through the air, all I could see were the six white tips on its feet bouncing around. When he landed, I managed one shot before he disappeared again - otherwise I would have reshot and corrected that soft focus. Check out those antenna!

And since I don't recall seeing any millipedes yet...

And a double bug shot with a mite on said millipede...

Enjoy!

- Bill

**KTHXBAI** · 2nd September 2011, 01:49 AM

Nice Bill!

**Rasbury** · 2nd September 2011, 11:45 AM

A couple of photo's of the same dragon fly from Kanapaha Gardens.

And a butterfly from a while back.

**Brownbear** · 2nd September 2011, 11:53 AM

I'm currently living in Los Ayala, Nayarit, Mexico... Some interesting insects... Although I don't have a macro lens to show them at their best, here are a few of my better shots.