Any bug photos during July 2015

[Geoff F]

Some variations on a common theme (very common!)

These Rhagonycha fluva beetles are everywhere now.



So far I don't have a name for this pair of little beetles but the reflective surface makes photography very difficult.



Update. Probably Neocrepidodera species.

And some craneflies getting in on the act. Tipula (Yamatotipula) lateralis

[marlunn]

nice Geoff, they do seem to be everywhere doing the 'next generation' thing, it reminded me of one i took middle of last month, never did get around to ID'ing them

think they are Ptychoptera contaminata

[deetheturk]

Nice captures guys, well done bugs

[Geoff F]

Certainly Ptychoptera, Mark. But they are , like all craneflies, very difficult to fully identify.

With conaminata vein RS is extra long and measures around four times the length of RM; but that cross vein is hidden under the black spot.

You could well be correct but the only species I'm familiar with is P. lacustris which has a very short RS vein, and does look different colour wise.

[John 2]

There is some good stuff here. I like the crane flies in particular.

Just ordered an adapter to allow me to use my Nikon lenses on the Fuji. Interestingly, I have found one that has a built in "Macro Focusing Helicoid". Apparently, you can adjust it to progressively move the fitted lens away from the camera body in the same way an extension ring would . The primary reason for acquiring the adapter is to allow me to mount the Fuji body on the Tamron 150 - 600mm but it should be interesting to see how the macro aspect works. A bit nervous though about whether the helicoid adjustment might introduce a bit of play to the overall setup. Anyone have any experience of anything like this?

[piggsy]

Is there a rule on pics per post I've not found? I'm just going to go with 5.

Variously - PEN E-PM2 / PEN E-P5 / Tokina 90mm 2.5 AT-X, Vivitar 135mm 2.8 Close Focusing, Olympus 60mm 2.8, Olympus 40-150R 4-5.6, all + Raynox DCR250.


http://abload.de/img/bok8uaec.jpg

http://abload.de/img/p7150046usbhg.jpg

http://abload.de/img/p715005356ygh.jpg

^ the biggest nightmare to shoot ever. Top photo is at something like F11 on the 135 I think. Leaf is about 1-1.5mm at the widest. That's a small bee and he buried himself deep into a very sharp tea tree, usually face down into something. Thankfully had a few nights to shoot (gigs of photos ) of him.


http://abload.de/img/p7140039wnl6p.jpg


http://abload.de/img/p7140063qiaat.jpg

[piggsy]

http://abload.de/img/p7160014coycr.jpg

http://abload.de/img/p7160030rkxlp.jpg

http://abload.de/img/p7200054yhane.jpg

http://abload.de/img/p72100232eytf.jpg

http://abload.de/img/p7210025qolpv.jpg

[piggsy]

http://abload.de/img/p7210042ovzz2.jpg

http://abload.de/img/p7210052ibxwe.jpg

http://abload.de/img/p7210069inzky.jpg

http://abload.de/img/p71300295osbn.jpg

http://abload.de/img/p7130058d0sba.jpg

[piggsy]

http://abload.de/img/p721008398sgh.jpg

http://abload.de/img/p7150044d7sta.jpg

http://abload.de/img/p7150067p1sho.jpg

http://abload.de/img/p7200024qrs48.jpg

http://abload.de/img/p72000355jsxq.jpg

http://abload.de/img/p72100282ls3k.jpg

[deetheturk]

All nice captures Jim, my favorite's are the Jumpers, well done mate!

[deetheturk]

Planthopper Nymph approx 5mm on my finger!


#1


#2


#3


#4


#4 was trying to high five me I think

[marlunn]

Nice high 5 David, love that little fella

Geoff, one of those lacewings - black cross veins but not Dichochrysa flavifrons I suspect maybe Chrysopa perla?

[marlunn]

A lot of nice images there Jim, like David, love the spiders especially the jumpers, whats not to like about a jumper

[Cantab]

David, the eyes on the Planthopper Nymph are extraordinary. For some reason they reminded me of a slightly cracked meringue!

[deetheturk]

Cheers Mark, lovely capture of the Lacewing!

[deetheturk]

Thank's Bruce, did you eat the Meringue that looked like that?

[Geoff F]

Chrysops perla or dorsalis, Mark.

Vein Sc seems black which would suggest dorsalis. Greenish or slightly darkened in perla.

Also, and not visible from that angle, check the black markings on top of the head running back from the antennae. The black central area of the head behind the antennae has a small circular pale area in perla but it is more of an oval shape in dorsalis.

Often not easy to tell them apart.

[John 2]

Finally, we had a butterfly in the garden today. There were also one or two hovers but a fair number of bees which is good news. I think this is a Small Tortoiseshell.

Fuji XT1
60mm Macro lens.

[Geoff F]

That looks like a particularly well coloured individual, John.

Little Toad; well almost an insect, and I liked his stance.

[Geoff F]

In a small area of one site there are quite a few Long-winged Coneheads; although overall they aren't common.

Still in the last stage nymph condition and amongst the grass I struggled to find any acceptable angles which were also useable for identification.



Just starting to see a few Sicus ferrugineus flies. Their larvae are parasites of bumblebee nests.

I can't decide between a rather soft image and a harsher alternative so here are both.





Different sites three days apart.