Insects 2016 part 2

[Geoff F]

Just remind her that horseflies also have very attractive eyes!

[marlunn]

oh she knows - big time - but still coverts the look !

actually a bit proud of her - she has jsut completed her degree in Natural History photography with a 2.1

[MilosVukmirovic]

Thank you Geoff and Mark for kind words about the image.

I checked the link Geoff, and indeed it seems it is a Cloeon dipterum. Thank you for sharing the link, I learned something new from it.

[Wavelength]

Continuing to be a superb series; great contributions by all......

[billtils]

Superb series Mark, I especially like the Burnet Moths. However, overall the most outstanding impression that I am left with is the combination of variety in subject insects and constancy in the quality of the shots.

[marlunn]

thanks Bill, there are a lot of seriously good natural history photographers here

[marlunn]

a few from today at a nature reserve near me - Parc Slip.

A 'common' butterfly - Artogeia napi - Green veined White



another 'common' butterfly - Parage aegeria, Speckled Wood



this one was interesting, a Scorpion fly - going for the 'common' one Panorpa communis, have not seen them feeding on a umbelifer flower before



finally this little bug, Nabis limbatus, Marsh Damsel Bug

[Geoff F]

In the past, Mark, I have found Scorpion Flies feeding on soft bodied creatures like caterpillars. You have done a good job of showing his tail.

A few of my recent oddities. Starting with Lacewings. Chrysoperla carnea.



And Dichochrysa flavifrons



This strange little creature was running around on a bramble leaf. Only 5 mm in diameter; possibly a Lacewing larvae.



And a bee of uncertain origin but possibly an Orange Furrow Bee - Halictus rubicundus.

[marlunn]

love the lacewings Geoff

[Geoff F]

A pair of Meadow Browns. They were moving around in the foliage so I didn't quite get all the female's wing totally sharp. They moved before I could get a second shot to try focus stacking. Then another male arrived and attempted to dislodge the connected one. After which they disappeared deep into the undergrowth.

[Wavelength]

Excellent images,Mark; the scorption fly looks like a Frankensein creation

[Geoff F]

Seen better days . . .



Silver-washed Fritillary. At this site I have had Fritillaries flying around me several times over the past few months but this old stagger is the first one which has settled long enough for an identification confirmation photo.

[Wavelength]

Great butterfly

[Geoff F]

Found an Elephant in the woods today!





Well, an Elephant Hawkmoth Caterpillar anyway.

Four inches in length - stunning creatures aren't they.

[marlunn]

they are indeed Geoff, found one in Whisby, Lincoln at the weekend but did not get a shot of it - nicely done images.

[ajohnw]

I haven't had much luck with insects this year. Managed this one. My wife runs a small photo comp at a local church so I'm expected to pay and fill a space. On this one I had go at removing some detail to get more of a visual effect. Thought that might appeal more to the people who will be looking at it. Printed post card size though it needs more pop.



The only other one that was of interest to me was this one - DOF missed a little. Seen while having coffee in the garden and it kept moving around so could only take one shot.



John
-

[Cantab]

Geoff, I've never seen a caterpillar remotely approaching 4 inches. It must munch through a lot vegetation!

[Geoff F]

Another large Hawkmoth caterpillar which was 'running' along a concrete path outside my house and looking lost. Privet Hawkmoth.



So I picked it up, which caused it to roll into a ball, and placed it in my garden beside a hedge. After a few minutes it straightened off and rushed into the undergrowth. I just managed this shot as it was leaving.

[Geoff F]

A few other recent oddities.

This little white plant hopper was in a tricky position in the undergrowth so I couldn't choose my camera angle, and as soon as I did change position it was away, with one mighty bound . .



Conosanus obsoletus

And an unusual harvestman - Dicranopalpus ramosus.





This is a more conventional harvestman design

[Cantab]

Geoff, the Dicranopalpus ramosus is very aptly named. Ramosus refers to oars. (I wish my years of Latin and Greek many years ago were as frequently helpful in figuring out the scientific names for assorted flora and fauna.)