Post your insects

[johnbharle]

John. I sometimes find insects are rather wary of me if I get too tensed up about photographing them. They seem to be able to recognise that and regard it as a potential threat.

The best way around this, at least for me, when they are a bit skittish, is to start photographing flowers or birds instead. They tend to relax and come closer then.

I think you're right. Today, I just walked around and didn't try to stalk them. They let me get closer. Thanks, Geoff!

[johnbharle]

I have shown photos of the UK Scorpion Fly before, but here is one having his lunch.

He does look menacing. Never have seen anything like him before. Nice!

[rtbaum]

The print that you refer to is a photogravure by Edward C. Curtis. When I was a wee lad, I would fire rubber tipped darts at the indian in an old picture on the wall. My mother had rescued the photo from an old aunt of hers' garage. The photo was displayed in a beat up old plaster frame. Years later, my parents basement flooded in a flash flood. Amongst the items rescued was that old photo, we removed the photo from its frame to allow it to dry in the sun. We discovered that it was actually a first edition print signed by Edward C. Curtis!!! It was treated with much more care after that discovery.

[Vrgl]

Found this fellow near my window,need some help with ID.Sorry about the quality-it wasn't ideal situation, me almost on my head and him swinging on his web in the wind. I think it's a spined micrathenas.
_DSC0042 by kutsies pics, on Flickr

[Bobobird]

This guy was more than willing to sit still. He even looks tired. For some reason, he reminds me of that old print showing a tired Indian on his horse looking at the sunset.

This one?

[rtbaum]

This one

[ktuli]

Found this fellow near my window,need some help with ID.Sorry about the quality-it wasn't ideal situation, me almost on my head and him swinging on his web in the wind. I think it's a spined micrathenas.
_DSC0042 by kutsies pics, on Flickr

Mary,

Your ID is spot on... this is actually another example of a species that uses camouflage that looks like bird poop. I've posted another example over in the spiders thread...

- Bill

[Plumcrak]

young Praying Mantis



I like this one because it is looking at me.


I think it caught something

[Plumcrak]

Part of an insect at least...

[geordie01]

Been raining constantly here for three weeks now and it is hard to get out to find new victims

[johnbharle]

Part of an insect at least...

ahhh...ciccadas, the sound of summer! Nice capture. Love the light.

[johnbharle]

This one?

Well no, actually. This one...I have never really looked at who did the print. It was in my grandmother's house when she died. I had it re-matted and framed.

[rtbaum]

Took this image at Louisville Swamp unit of Minnesota River National Wildlife Refuge(didn't go for the swamp). Plant is whorled milkweed; at first glance, I thought the beetle was a ladybug. Any of you bug guys want to ID, be my guest.

[johnbharle]

I was taking photos of the mushrooms and noticed this little guy just had to get in the picture!

[Geoff F]

Randy. You may be on the correct identification trail with that bug; but there are a few rather similar looking beetles in the Leaf Beetle family (Chrysomelidae).

John.That is an odd shaped mushroom. Did something take a chunk out of it while it was growing?

[johnbharle]

John.That is an odd shaped mushroom. Did something take a chunk out of it while it was growing?

That is entirely possible. It was this shape today when I took it. Guess God just gave me an interesting subject.

[Geoff F]

Phasia hemiptera male





I nearly passed by this fly thinking it was just another Bluebottle type. Then I noticed that from some angles the dark areas of it's wings and abdomen turned blue.

The larvae are parasitic on this species of shieldbug.



Red-legged Shieldbug - Pentatoma rufipes.

ps. there are also some little Pollen Beetles in the first photo.

[rtbaum]

Randy. You may be on the correct identification trail with that bug; but there are a few rather similar looking beetles in the Leaf Beetle family (Chrysomelidae).

John.That is an odd shaped mushroom. Did something take a chunk out of it while it was growing?

Geoff- I think I have the ID, it is swamp milkweed leaf beetle

[Geoff F]

Notice anything odd about this male Dark Bush Cricket?



One back leg is missing; and a bit of damage to the antennae on that side.

It moved around without too much trouble although jumping must be difficult.

[terrib]

OK, looking at some of these other images, especially Geoff's post of the fly, really puts mine to shame. But I'll share it anyway. I was trying out some extension tubes my son-in-law gave me. This was a short extension tube on an 18-55mm lens, handheld. I liked the reflections in the wings.