Show Us Your Bugs

[Geoff F]

A bit of a breeze today but I mostly managed to avoid it and work in more sheltered conditions.

A few first for the year, although some weren't keen on posing. Windy days seem to make them a bit more 'jumpy'.

One of the few easily identifiable craneflies. Tipula fluvipennis.



A beetle - Rutpela maculata.



And a Scorpion Fly - Panorpa communis.



Followed by a brightly marked hoverfly - Xanthogramma pedissequum. Always a tricky subject due to the glossy surfaces.

[marlunn]

must be the right time for the Xanthogramma, got my first image of one today unfortunately it was not very accomodating and in direct sunlight - no matter the attempts cant make it a reasonable image - but got one in flight that was 'okayish' nothing to write home about but a reminder to keep trying to better these type of images

[Geoff F]

Yes, Mark, Xanthogramma, along with the rather similar Chrysotoxum and a few others are usually tricky. I find windy weather makes them very skittish even if I am shooting in a calmer spot. Any in flight shot is an achievement.

Found I was getting some tricky individuals today. All firsts for the year.

Black Snipefly - Chrysopilus cristatus



These Soldierflies are virtually impossible to photograph without getting a lot of over exposed areas. It even happens in deep shade. Broad Centurion - Chloromyia formosa



A little Figwort Weevil which refused to stop and pose for a photo. It just kept running over and under leaves.



And a hoverfly which is well filled with eggs. Meliscaeva auricollis.

[Cantab]

must be the right time for the Xanthogramma, got my first image of one today unfortunately it was not very accomodating and in direct sunlight - no matter the attempts cant make it a reasonable image - but got one in flight that was 'okayish' nothing to write home about but a reminder to keep trying to better these type of images

An interesting BIF (bug, not bird, in flight). I was intrigued that the left and right wings are at different angles in relation to the apparently level body of the insect. Any experts on the flight dynamics of this bug?

[marlunn]

Nice set Geoff, ah the soldierflies, could not get one to sit still long enough - very nice shot.

[Geoff F]

Time for me to brag a little then. I've got the female as well.



But yes, they were tricky and kept moving around. Neither of them is 'exhibition quality' though; and both have had a bit of editing.

[Ziggy]

[DanK]

Time for me to brag a little then. I've got the female as well.



But yes, they were tricky and kept moving around. Neither of them is 'exhibition quality' though; and both have had a bit of editing.

This very nicely done, particularly given the shiny carapace.

[Geoff F]

Thanks.

Nice 'jumper' there Jim.

Regarding Bruce's question about the wings. Just a thought but hovering flight means a bit of wing feathering to keep level as well as hovering and coping with variations in the breeze etc, so I suspect that is what is happening here.

[Nat]

Time for me to brag a little then. I've got the female as well.



But yes, they were tricky and kept moving around. Neither of them is 'exhibition quality' though; and both have had a bit of editing.

This is not shot with a dedicated "macro lens" then, if I am reading your exif data correctly? What a great shot!! Maybe that's why it does not have the usual small DOF that a macro lens exhibit? Bear with me, trying to learn something. Love the details in this. Ah, wait....after a bit of reading, maybe this is your Sigma 180 macro with the teleconverter? Nice lens!

[JBW]

Geoff et alii, I have done just enough pp to bring out a bit of the detail in this unknown bug. When I shot it I was thinking Dragonfly but it has antennae!

[Geoff F]

Yes that is a strange one, Brian. I don't know where to start. It appears to have four wings and has them held along the body like some form of Damselfly.

[Nat]

I have not had my Nikkor 105mm micro lens out for a while. I also attached a Metz Ring flash. But it was very windy, and bugs weren't plentiful.....did get a couple of shots.

Hoverfly

Margined Leatherwing

[Geoff F]

Some interesting flower scenes as well as bugs there, Nat. Two for the price of one can't be bad.

[Nat]

Thanks, Geoff....going to go out again tonight when the wind dies down...bugs seem to be hiding! I just ordered a Nikon TC-200 teleconverter....it's supposed to work on my lens. Several years ago I unwittingly bought a Nikon AF-S TC-20E II, it only works on ONE of my lenses, and that's my birding telephoto. I did not research it, and did not realize it was not compatible with most of my lenses.... :/

[marlunn]

Not a brilliant shot - I was trying hard to get a profile image and not get stung - thats a nettle leaf its on and you can see the stings covering the leaf its a Phyllobius sp. I believe

[JBW]

Yes that is a strange one, Brian. I don't know where to start. It appears to have four wings and has them held along the body like some form of Damselfly.

The platypus of bugs!

[JBW]

Yes that is a strange one, Brian. I don't know where to start. It appears to have four wings and has them held along the body like some form of Damselfly.

I just found this page and apparently I have captured a 'Common Australian Owl-Fly'

http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisb...lianOwlFly.htm

[IzzieK]

Mark! It's hairshute on the face...I like it. It is a cutie...

Not a brilliant shot - I was trying hard to get a profile image and not get stung - thats a nettle leaf its on and you can see the stings covering the leaf its a Phyllobius sp. I believe

[Nat]

Crab spider. They hide and ambush their prey.....they can change their color to blend in with their background.

Can you see me now? by N. Overholt, on Flickr