Unusual insects

[Dark Raptor]

Thanks

Just a few months earlier...

...few days ago...

...one day before pupation...

...and finally, adult Papilo machaon.

 

[Teal]

Just... wow... !!

 

[Dark Raptor]

Coccinella septempunctata

Myrmeleon formicarius

Pyrrhocoris apterus (molting)

Curculio glandium

Coreus marginatus

Emus hirtus vs Aphodius

Collembola

Atta sp.

And something that shows how small sometimes these animals are (and what magnification I can get with Takumar 28 and macro bellows ; ) ). No cropping, full frame. This strange object is a prinded comma sign, type: Arial size: 10.

Not identified Hymenoptera

Thysanoptera

Me, at work

 

[Widowman10]

ya, that's still awesome. as usual DR.

now, tell me this (and pardon my lack of understanding). when taking super-detailed photos like this, it seems the focus (or depth at which it focuses) is a clear, small point or small plane. now, is it possible to take several pictures in a row that would take into focus the whole bug (like in the case of the antlion) so that the whole bug is in sharp focus like the head? i know it would be hard to get an insect to stay in the same position to do such a thing, i was just wondering if it is even possible.

please enlighten me, as you seem to have macro photography down to an art form! best pics i've seen man, simply amazing.

 

[Dark Raptor]

Yes. Every time you are closer to the object, field of depth (area where image is sharp) is thinner and thinner. It can be solved by technique called "stacking".
Sometimes I'm using it, but it is a bit difficult when you are shooting moving specimens.

Some pictures in my jumping spider and true spider threads were taken with that technique.

Check gallery of this guy. Thomas Shahan uses it ver, very often:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/opoterser/

 

[Widowman10]

ah, good explanation. "stacking" is what i was wondering about! thanks for explaining that and for the links DR.

 

[Mack&Cass]

I am absolutely in awe right now. You are definitely one of the most talented photographers I've ever seen. Stunning work! :clap:

cassandra

 

[Teal]

I am speechless! Your work is simply amazing.

 

[Dom]

Fantastic pics Dark Raptor:clap::clap:.

 

[Avicularia Man]

Wow

This thread is awesome. Here is a dragonfly I took a photo of at my girl's family reunion a few years ago.

 

[Dark Raptor]

Harmonia axyridis

Colydium elongatum

Pytho depressus

Homoptera

Pentatomidae

Not ID caterpillar

Ammophila sabulosa

Aeschna mixta

Pterophorus pentadactylus

Symphyta

Pentatomidae

Zygoptera

Lymantria dispar

 

[pwilson5]

lovin the pics.. i like the sand lions.. i used to play with thos when i was little.. thought it was cool that they would flick sand out..

also ive eaten one of the Pentatomidae before... kinda sour/bitter.. lol

 

[xhexdx]

Really great photos! :clap:

This:

Symphyta

Is hilarious!

 

[Crockmeyer]

The "NEW" 84 year old guy

I have just joined and I have not been able to figure out how to post pictures. I have some goodies I'l like to share. Help!

 

[Crockmeyer]

The "NEW" 84 year old guy

I have just joined and I have not been able to figure out how to post pictures. I have some goodies I'd like to share. Help!

 

[Widowman10]

if you use a host (like photobucket) you can do it using that and linking in.

when you hit "reply," you'll see a little button above the text box that looks like a mountain. hit that button and it will bring up a prompt. put the address or url of the picture (from photobucket or the like) in that box and hit ok. when you post, the picture should show up on the forum.

and thanks for bumping this thread, this is one of my favorites.

 

[asher]

Wow, your photos are stunning!

What sort of work do you do? And are you a qualified entomologist?

 

[Dark Raptor]

Finally, after a few months I received activation e-mail from Arachnoboards and I'm "on-line" again

Yes, I'm biologist and I'm generally interested in beetle ecology, especially saproxylic species.

So, this time another pack of shots with different insect species...

Ips typographus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Margarinotus sp. (Coleoptera: Histeridae)

Pyrrhocoris apterus (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae)

Centrotus cornutus (Hemiptera: Membracidae)

Cionus hortulanus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Cionus scrophulariae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Sitona cylindricollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Formica polyctena (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Diaperis boleti (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Phyllobius sp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Forficula auricularia (Dermaptera: Forficulidae)

Thanasimus formicarius (Coleoptera: Cleridae)

...expect more soon

 

[zonbonzovi]

Your precision with DOF is incredible! It's great to see some of the details of creatures typically unavailable to the naked eye...makeso CGI sci-fi stuff seem mundane.

 

[Dark Raptor]

Thanks

I'm experimenting with different lenses and macro stuff like bellows and extension tubes. I get the highest magnifications with the reversed wide angle lenses and bellows. Sometimes I can get 5:1 or more.

Syrphid fly (Diptera: Syrphidae)

Curculio glandium (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Creobroter gemmatus (Dictioptera: Hymenopodidae)

Enallagma cyathigerum (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

Sphodromantis sp. (Dictioptera: Mantidae)

Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Evarcha arcuata (Araneae: Salticidae) - of course it is not an insect