Insects 2016

[James G]

Mark, nice capture, Reminds me a bit of rope climbing in the gym millenia ago!

As regards this particular specimen, ... I used to grow lillies a few years back, until L lilii moved in. I think it has been 3 years since, so I might just try replanting this year.. you never know, and if the beetle returns.... well it is photogenic!

[MarieV]

Praying Mantis -



Is this Pose Better...




That's it - I've Posed
Enough....

[rudi]

Good shots Marie, love the big smile in the second !

[James G]

Not sure about that sawfly, James. I would like a side view to decide if it has a wasp like waist. Those antennae seem a bit long and slender, more like an Ichneumon?

Geoff, I should have noticed the length of the antennae, ichneumon does make more sense , particularly looking at the other image I captured. It was on vegetation an inch or so above ground level so no way of getting a better angle.

Currently I seem to be trying to capture very small subjects at the limit of my capability, although I think if it could, my 100mm Canon lens would squeak!

Both the subjects below presented some challenges!

Black Wolf Spiders have very good eyesight and move very quickly, so, reasonably pleased with these...

#1 Pardosa sp , probably amentata.


#2


#3


When out I always seem to be turning over bits of rotten wood, stones etc , to see what is underneath.... usually something that scuttles away at speed .. (and sometimes makes me jump! )
So, while 'examining' the surface of an old beech tree stump, I disturbed this little beetle which promptly 'scuttled', as expected....

Captures are not the best, but I was interested in the piggybacking passenger which looks like a red spider mite to me.

#4 Minute Tree-fungus Beetle, Cis sp with Spider Mite


#5


#6

[James G]

Marie, I've hunted the 'rain forests' of Ireland many times,.. well I suppose that Dun-a-Ri Forrest Park qualifies as a rainforest micro climate.....but I never encountered a mantis!

Seriously though very nice shots.

[MarieV]

Thank you James - Silly me not to tell you where I found him and certainly not over here with the 'leprechauns'...!! I am just back from a few months in South Africa and this little fellow was sitting on my kitchen window cill long enough for me to grab my camera.

[rudi]

Currently I seem to be trying to capture very small subjects at the limit of my capability, ....

and you captured them well !!

[Cantab]

James, an interesting set of photos, especially of the mite hitching a ride. What size is the beetle?

[James G]

Hi Bruce, it was about 2-3mm in size. Oddly enough, I tried photographing velvet spider mites last year. I reckon this 'accidental' capture is the best so far

and you captured them well !!

Thanks Rudi, but there is plenty of room for improvement still

[James G]

Thank you James - Silly me not to tell you where I found him and certainly not over here with the 'leprechauns'...!! I am just back from a few months in South Africa and this little fellow was sitting on my kitchen window cill long enough for me to grab my camera.

Now I am jealous! I thought you were going to tell me it was a 'captive' subject in a vivarium.

[Ken MT]

Dinner after sex. Female preying mantis feasting on male after mating. Best I could do with lens that I had with me.

[Cantab]

Dinner after sex. Female preying mantis feasting on male after mating. Best I could do with lens that I had with me.

Yikes!

[marlunn]

all, some really great shots and so very interesting to see such a variety of insects and some surprises for us when we take them, i love this thread

[marlunn]

Dinner after sex. Female preying mantis feasting on male after mating. Best I could do with lens that I had with me.

that is always the best lens to have for the shot

[IzzieK]

Like your off-the-cuff remark about life... I might want to add to not step on the person on your way to the top. I like this shot. It really came good with your remark too.

Marie -- I like the expression of #2. Your remark made me laugh. Thanks. I think that one really looked wickedly sexy too.

James -- spiders! Eweeeeaaaauuuu! I kinda like the beetles better...more safer to touch too.

Ken! that is a disgusting ritual! I suppose she can always have a new bloke each time she wants sex.

[marlunn]

a couple from today, nothing new but I liked the images -

a Hoverfly Eristalis pertinax on blossom



and Helophilus pendulus on Forget-me-not

[Geoff F]

That Helophilus has come out particularly well with a good angle.

Just starting to get around to editing some insects.

A mating pair of Bloody-nosed beetles.



Bit of a struggle to find good angles and this is a merge of 3 focus points.

These mating weevils were also hidden away in some leaf folds where I struggled to find any acceptable angles. Maybe Hypera pollux?



A Drinker Moth caterpillar was in a more open area but it still managed to twist its body.



With mostly wet weather and a fresh cold easterly wind in the drier spells this hasn't been a good start to the insect year for me.

[James G]

With mostly wet weather and a fresh cold easterly wind in the drier spells this hasn't been a good start to the insect year for me.

Geoff it has been difficult. But, I like your Bloody Nosed beetles. I'm always entranced by their orange pads

[marlunn]

Geoff, love the Bloody nosed beetles, looks like really high quality aged leather

a last one from today, a Tawny Mining bee, Andrena fulva on a Fritillaria meleagris

[IzzieK]

Mark, your first batch of the bees are both good ones -- and that includes the flower shots too. I like the first flower one but the much closer one of #2 is superb! but I have a seen quite a few of the forget me nots. My ex MIL love those flowers. That little tawny bee looks cute on the last one. 'Wish I could see more like that #2 on the first batch. I like that fritilaria though...how big is that Tawny mining bee? Just curious...