Post your insects

[Brownbear]

Just a reminder...

Okay, I'll start a slug thread once I've done some minor editing on the slug.

[Cantab]

Just a reminder...

Out of town company and volunteer work has kept me occupied but the slug is coming!

[Geoff F]

Geoff, I'll add my voice to the chorus of "great shots"!

In reality, these were mostly just luck as I tried to place my tripod amongst the brambles and try for an angle which would allow for identification of the subject.

On the same day, I totally failed with a pair of mating damselflies and another pair of hoverflies.

[Brownbear]

Geoff, in reality, you are an amazing macro photographer. One day when I have time I will experiment with macro photography and will be looking at your insect photos for inspiration..

In reality, these were mostly just luck as I tried to place my tripod amongst the brambles and try for an angle which would allow for identification of the subject.

On the same day, I totally failed with a pair of mating damselflies and another pair of hoverflies.

[Geoff F]

This is actually a hoverfly, not a bee.



Criorhina berberina, a rather large hoverfly which is one of several which mimic bumblebees.

I was struggling to find a suitable angle to enable identification. Of course, it was amongst the brambles and being a bit nervous, it was only there for a couple of seconds.

[Cantab]

This is actually a hoverfly, not a bee.



Criorhina berberina, a rather large hoverfly which is one of several which mimic bumblebees.

I was struggling to find a suitable angle to enable identification. Of course, it was amongst the brambles and being a bit nervous, it was only there for a couple of seconds.

Geoff, a great image! I attempted my first shots of bees feeding on a rhodo bush yesterday but the darned bees are virtually never in one place for more than a few seconds.

[Geoff F]

Yes, Bruce, bees are very difficult. One of the occasions where I sometimes try auto focus; but I always get a lot of rejects whatever I do.

Usually a bit easier with larger flowers that produce a lot of nectar which encourages the bees to remain longer. Still tricky to get an interesting angle though.

[Cantab]

I tried the machine gun approach some of the time: continuous shooting while the shutter button is held down.

I'm hoping to post one of them in a few days. But when I looked at the photos on the camera's screen it was clear that the reject rate is probably at least 90%.

[Geoff F]

If you are getting 10% good shots, Bruce, that is acceptable. I usually do a bit of 'culling' in the camera before downloading. That makes my apparent success rate seem better.

I have shown Empis tessellata flies before, but here is a slightly different scene; although these greyish insects lack the impact of some other species.

This male is probably working on the principle that females are more receptive after a good meal.



There are a number of insects and spiders who wait until the female is eating before attempting to mate. I found two of these couples today. Something which I haven't witnessed before.

[Letrow]

This is actually a hoverfly, not a bee.



Criorhina berberina, a rather large hoverfly which is one of several which mimic bumblebees.

I was struggling to find a suitable angle to enable identification. Of course, it was amongst the brambles and being a bit nervous, it was only there for a couple of seconds.

Great shot Geoff, the colours look very good in this photo.

[Letrow]

Syrphidae on a dandelion

[Brownbear]

gorgeous photo...

Syrphidae on a dandelion

[Geoff F]

Broad-bodied Chaser - Libellula depressa female.



The colour is correct, a brownish yellow. Males are a greyish blue.

This one didn't want to be photographed and kept flitting around so I had to shoot from a little further away.

[geoz]

Great shot Geoff. Detail in the wings is fantastic.

[orlcam88]

This is a slow year for insects where I'm located (long Island NY). Not sure if it has to do with the weather as it's been colder than usual. I had a butterfly kit and let them out this morning. Had camera ready and the all flew up! Never saw them again. Such gratitude after raising them from a caterpillar! I also released some ladybugs the other day and out of 1500, I only see 4. My flower garden that I setup just to take insects are also delayed in flowering. Not a good year so far.
While traveling on vacation in upper NY I tried to capture some dragon flies but had no luck on that. They wouldn't stay still! Same for the butterflies there. But I did find this guy trying to hang on to the tip of a twig. Not sure what it is and it's purpose as it just climbed bfack down. Exercise? This was taken near Roscoe NY near a river.

[Franci]

Great detail on the wings. Congratulations.

[Franci]

Apparently this Spring only butterflies are willing to be photographed. This one might be a Pieris napi bryoni, bot the green tips on the wings leave some doubts. However it was very patient while I shoot!

[Geoff F]

That looks like one of the species which we don't see in the UK, Francesca.

But just a suggestion. Have a look at Clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne). Apparently more of a high ground than coastal species which is shown as being present through the centre of Italy.

A clear shot with everything that needs to be seen for an identification.

[Franci]

Definitely, you are right Geoff. Apparently only 3 species live in Italy, and this one was not in my catalogue. In several places, these are protected species. Thank you.

[Walj]

My shot of insect over last Sunday Jun-09. Thanks for viewing. Your c&c would be helpful and appreciated:



Cheers.
Walj