A few more Insect Macro's today

[James G]

I think I'm getting better with the gear.....just ordered a monopod and adjustable head which should be here early next week. I now need to find some decent identification books for insects!

In the meantime I've been stalking one of my favourite country parks near here. I nearly stood on the Peacock Butterfly which was strange since it seemed to have no trouble flying away a little while later. First time this year I've been flat out on the ground!

#1 Peacock Butterfly (Aglais Io) male?


#2 Eye & Head detail, Peacock Butterfly (Aglais Io)


#3 Fly...


#4 Fly...


As usual C&C welcome

[IzzieK]

These are all excellent shots, James...How come the first one is called Peacock Butterfly when it is not colourful? The close up looks good though...I like it...gives me the shivers... so close...Flies, both of them, seems very small in comparison to the butterfly shots. You made them look cute.

Watch it, my fly swatter is still working...

[Barbara Ponder]

Nice set John!

[James G]

Izzie, I knew someone would ask about the Peacock

As you can see, it was on the ground and 'presenting' with it's wings up. You are seeing the underside, which has a completely different pattern. I think this is a male (the pattern though dark, has the golden/brown flecks, which I think are more subdued in the female. Unfortunately I'm not an entomologist )
So, here is a shot I took a good few years back .... not very good but it shows the reason for the name. It was late summer and this one was a bit battered and ragged.



As regards the fly, yes, it is small, about 7mm long. I was pleased because in both shots, the compound eye detail is captured. I will be printing them both later today. (t's kind of my final seal of approval for an image if I print it... I'm still 'old school' in that sense.)

Finally..Cute? I like insects... but cute? Lambs in the field or baby Polar bears are cute.... I think,

[JamesScott86]

Excellent captures - well taken.

[Shadowman]

Nice.

[JohnRostron]

Impressive captures. I was going to say 'especially ...', but this applies to them all! I have the macro equipment, but I can never get sufficiently close.

I shall stick to flowers for the moment.

John

[bnnrcn]

Very nice series

[deetheturk]

Lovely captures James, well done mate!

[Geoff F]

I always think Peacocks can look as good or better with wings closed.

Your fly is one of the Dung Flies (Scathophagide) and probably the common Yellow Dung Fly - Scathophaga stercoraria but there are quite a few species in that family.

Regarding general books for entomology. I find Collins Complete Guide to British Insects to be a good starter; but although it says 'complete', a lot (from such a complicated subject) has had to be left out. Good real photos and text explanations of identifications.

Insects of Britain and Western Europe by Domino Guides covers a wider range and is small enough to fit in a jacket pocket or backpack. But the illustrations can be a bit on the small side and while the text is sufficient for some species it is a bit scant in other areas.

My most recent purchase was A Comprehensive Guide to Insects of Britain & Ireland by Paul Brock (Pisces Publications) which is similar to the Collins guide although it covers more subjects in 500 pages. Generally OK but some photos are possibly a bit on the small side.

Beyond that we come to the specialist books for the pro entomologists which go into great detail and assume you have an actual specimen and a microscope. They are usually a bit on the expensive side as well; as I know only too well.

There are also some good downloadable identification keys; but most of these also require very detailed study of actual specimens.

[James G]

Geoff,
Thanks for the identification.. I have a Collins Guide, but as you say it's a complicated subject and I have found it frustrating.

My most recent purchase was A Comprehensive Guide to Insects of Britain & Ireland by Paul Brock (Pisces Publications) which is similar to the Collins guide although it covers more subjects in 500 pages. Generally OK but some photos are possibly a bit on the small side.

I wasn't aware of the above so will see about getting a copy. As a non-entomologist preferring in general not to trap and kill over a matter of curiosity I suspect I'm destined to remain frustrated over a lot of identifications. Won't stop me trying to photograph them though.

I'll modify my statement about not killing insects.... I detest house flies and have no compunction eliminating them. I've chivvied the various house spiders and harvestmen that I do give house room to, but they are not quite as effective as I would like them to be

[James G]

but I can never get sufficiently close

John, I think I was a bit lucky, there was a chill wind blowing despite the sun, so I reckon they were fairly sluggish.

[Tom Barry]

John, I think I was a bit lucky, there was a chill wind blowing despite the sun, so I reckon they were fairly sluggish.

That does help, but in any event, you got a fine result!

[JamesScott86]

My goodness - stunning images.

[Rebel]

Very nice James