Insects 2016

[marlunn]

Is it time to start an insects thread for this year - there have been a few about now

A hoverfly - as you can see from the celandine flower - not exactly large, 5-8mm

Platycheirus albimanus

[NorthernFocus]

Really nice detail and a perfect color to contrast with the black. Well done.

[Shadowman]

Nice capture.

[rudi]

Good start Mark,

I'll kick in with a moth. The first bug I shot this season. I missed a bit the focus I wanted, needed too high an ISO, as it was in a really dark spot, ......well next time...

C&C Always welcomed and appreciated.

[marlunn]

Thanks Dan, appreciated.

Cheers John

[marlunn]

Nice moth and interesting angle Rudi, I cant really tell what type it is from that image. Like the colours in the base - very complimentary

[rudi]

, I cant really tell what type it is from that image.

Thanks Mark, I have some more shots for ID purposes, but most are too messy. Will see iff I can find some this evening.

[DickyOZ]

An Assassin Bug (the gardener's friend) to add to the collection:


I waited patiently for it to turn round a bit, but just as I was ready to press the shutter it flew off.

[marlunn]

Nice on Richard, always the way ! Insects are not the most accomodating models

[IzzieK]

All very nice ones so far. I have some insects that I took a shot or two of before I left the US and will edit some as soon as I go back home so I have something to contribute too...

[marlunn]

Look forward to seeing them Izzie

[marlunn]

This one as taken about the same time as the hoverfly - but cant ID it fully - thinking its the Halictus family of ground nesting bees, possibly rebicundus but not able to be sure, again on celandine and is circa 8-10mm

[xpatUSA]

No idea what it is but I like the way you caught the wing action

[IzzieK]

Wow! What a shot, Mark! That is an excellent specimen of a BIF-2...Hey I invented this as I was typing -- BIF-1 is Bird-In-Flight, this is BIF-2 would be Bug-in-Flight, OK?

[rudi]

A fruitfly, the background isn't ideal, but it was the best off the bunch. I was too focused on the subject. Should have taken an ovarall picture first, something to remember for next shoot....well next time better....
Exif data for anyone interested: 50D, mpe-65 @3x magn, f11, 1/200, iso 100, diffused flash

[James G]

It's still pretty cool in the Midlands and aprt from the Bumblebee there is not much activity. I was out today just as they started to leave their burrows and start foraging...

#1 Falling around before takeoff!


#2 Foraging


#3 Breakfast


#4 Drone fly?


#5 Drone fly?

[Geoff F]

I notice, James that the Bombus lapidarius (#1) is carrying quite a few mites; which is fairly common for them.

The hoverflies (#4 & #5) are Eristalis pertinax. They look quite dark for that species but early season flies are often much darker and lack the yellow which appears on the abdomen of those who develop during warmer weather.

[IzzieK]

Mark...as promised ealier here are my contributions: these are all shot indoors behind glass so bear with me. I would have freak out if they are not..

1 Cockroches -- 1/40 @ F8 ISO 800 Manual, 105mm lens EC-2



2 Asian jungle nymphs -- have great camouflage which helps them avoid being eaten by predators. The smaller brown males have large wings, while the large green females'wings are shot. Females drop hair seed-like eggs on the forest floor where they develop. 1/100@ F9 ISO 800 105mm lens



3 Hissing cockroach -- got their name -- a loud hiss by the roach expelling air. They give live birth. The female holds the eggs inside her body where they hatch.
Species: Grompadorhina portentosa
1/50 @ F8, Manual, ISO 800 105mm lens



4 Desert millipede - Large millepede commonly seen after monsoons. Orange coloration acts as a camouflage. These millepedes curl into a ball or secrete an irritating bitter liquid when threatened. Most common in Southwest United States. ISO 800, Manual, 1.\/25 @ F8 105 mm lens



5 Darkling beetle -- this beetle will do a headstand and omit a nasty smell to ward off predators. They are active around dusk and appears in large numbers after a rainstorm. Common in Southeast United States. 1/40@F8, ISO 800, 105mmlens



Hope you find these interesting...

[rtbaum]

Mark...as promised ealier here are my contributions: these are all shot indoors behind glass so bear with me. I would have freak out if they are not..

1 Cockroches -- 1/40 @ F8 ISO 800 Manual, 105mm lens EC-2

2 Asian jungle nymphs -- have great camouflage which helps them avoid being eaten by predators. The smaller brown males have large wings, while the large green females'wings are shot. Females drop hair seed-like eggs on the forest floor where they develop. 1/100@ F9 ISO 800 105mm lens

3 Hissing cockroach -- got their name -- a loud hiss by the roach expelling air. They give live birth. The female holds the eggs inside her body where they hatch.
Species: Grompadorhina portentosa
1/50 @ F8, Manual, ISO 800 105mm lens

4 Desert millipede - Large millepede commonly seen after monsoons. Orange coloration acts as a camouflage. These millepedes curl into a ball or secrete an irritating bitter liquid when threatened. Most common in Southwest United States. ISO 800, Manual, 1.\/25 @ F8 105 mm lens

5 Darkling beetle -- this beetle will do a headstand and omit a nasty smell to ward off predators. They are active around dusk and appears in large numbers after a rainstorm. Common in Southeast United States. 1/40@F8, ISO 800, 105mmlens

Hope you find these interesting...

Nice bugs, Izzie......Now..keep them from eating my flowers!

[James G]

Izzie, my brother qualified a long time ago as a biologist. I know he specialised in Botany, but rather to my surprise he cannot stand insects... Its all I can do to get him to glance at my images He would freak even at the sight of them through glass.

I like your millipede, they fascinate me!