Post your insects

[Geoff F]

Peter. There are a few internet sites which have good identification advice and some include full identification keys but, regretfully, most just show photos without any information. And in many instances there are a number of superficially similar species which require examination of specific points for a firm identification.

I participate in this site which covers most aspects of UK wildlife, and will also include many Northern European countries.

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/index.php

Plus, I have a bookcase full of information about various insect families including books (each with several hundred pages) and downloaded literature. I always prefer to print off as much as possible instead of trying to read it on screen.

But I still often have to ask for help with the more unusual or complicated cases. Such as your latest photo which is definitely a specialist subject.

The wing veins suggest Muscidae overall family and it has a hint of being a Pollenia species. But these are all complicated species which is currently beyond the scope of my knowledge; which is where I would ask for specialist help.

ps. Steve's spider is an easy one, Araneus diadematus (Garden Spider) female.

[Letrow]

Thanks for that information Geoff, although it does not make it easier really.
This is another one I am struggling with.

[Geoff F]

That photo is very interesting, Peter, and getting beyond my 'comfort zone' when it comes to identification.

Have a look at Eristalinus aeneus or Eristalinus sepulchralis. The latter suggestion is a little smaller and normally found in marshy areas.

But certainly something which I have yet to encounter.

Another simple identification problem came with this cranefly.



The wings are a little darker than the common variety and there is a faint pale yellow band across the wings near the tips. Which make me think it is probably Tipula luna.

[Geoff F]

Another odd looking insect. A Leaf Hopper.



Cicadella viridis. These strange creatures can jump like grasshoppers by using their powerful hind legs.

[gregj1763]

Was having lunch today and noticed this little fella had crawled up onto my knee.
Sorry all I had was my iPhone 4S and it wouldn't keep still so not good quality. Whenever I got the phone close enough to take a reasonable shot it would jump onto the top of it and just sit there looking at me.
Weird ?????








Ps, Left it on my clients plants to have it's lunch

[Geoff F]

Is that an imported pet cricket, Greg?

I can't think of any native species which looks like that.

[Geoff F]

A Spiked Shieldbug.



Haven't found any of these at my usual sites this year but found a couple after an experimental visit to another location.

ps. tried to get an angle and a bit of front focus so the left side would blur and make the 'model' appear to be a big bigger.

[gregj1763]

Is that an imported pet cricket, Greg?

I can't think of any native species which looks like that.

Not sure Geoff. All I know was it very friendly

[ktuli]

Not sure Geoff. All I know was it very friendly

Looks like a Katydid.

And actually they are usually fairly nasty and prone to biting, so you're lucky you got a friendly one.

Though I agree with Geoff, I don't think they are UK natives.

- Bill

[gregj1763]

Looks like a Katydid.

And actually they are usually fairly nasty and prone to biting, so you're lucky you got a friendly one.

Though I agree with Geoff, I don't think they are UK natives.

- Bill

Thanks Bill. Sounds like I had a lucky escape from the savage beastie.
Don't know if you spotted, but I'm in Launceston, Tasmania. About as far from the UK as you can get.

Gudday mate

[graynomad]

It's a Sydney katydid I think. Despite the name I assume they live in other places, I've got shots of them in QLD.

[Geoff F]

Thanks Bill. Sounds like I had a lucky escape from the savage beastie.
Don't know if you spotted, but I'm in Launceston, Tasmania. About as far from the UK as you can get.

Gudday mate

Yes, of course, Greg. I'm thinking about the 'real' Launceston. Cornwall, UK. About 50 miles from where I live.

[orlcam88]

If I could name a insect, I'd call this the stormtropper caterpillars.

[gregj1763]

[QUOTE=graynomad;250587]It's a Sydney katydid I think. Despite the name I assume they live in other places, I've got shots of them in QLD.

Thanks for the identification Rob

[orlcam88]

Not sure what this is but it looks pretty beat up.

[Franci]

It stumped in a piece of wood and fell in spite of help from the wings!

Unfortunately, the built-in flash tends to be reflected by shiny insects!

[Geoff F]

Some shiny insects, Franci, are virtually impossible to photograph without a bit of reflective hotspots. Often, I find that they are actually worse without flash. If you can see these potential problem areas when you look through your viewfinder they are impossible to avoid.

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

[gcowan]

I was out practising shooting hand held macro flowers in the full sun. This fellow came and settled on a tea tree with all of the bees. He went away but kept coming back while I was there.

I have no idea what it was. I have never seen one in our garden before. He was about 50mm across the wings.

ISO 1600 f16 1/200th Zeiss Makro Planar 100 f2.0


Graham

[Geoff F]

An interesting species there, Graham.

I can't even offer a suggestion about the family. There are distinctive wing veins so someone who specialises in that sort of thing may be able to help. My first thought was for a Clear Winged Moth but the antennae are wrong.

Here are a couple of tricky shots which haven't quite worked as planned.

Common Darters are inquisitive insects but have a habit of landing on backgrounds which make them difficult to photograph well.



I found these mating Dark Bush Crickets but couldn't obtain a clear foreground without that old stem running across the bottom. And when I tried to move my position I scared them away.

[Birdwatcher]