I was out photographing damselflies (6th June 2004) when these two took my eye. I'm sure that they are not at all rare (they look too familiar) but I have so far been unsuccessful in finding an id for them.
Bruce
[/i]Iridescent beetles mating - help needed to identify species
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Bruce Williams
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Iridescent beetles mating - help needed to identify species
Hi folks,
I was out photographing damselflies (6th June 2004) when these two took my eye. I'm sure that they are not at all rare (they look too familiar) but I have so far been unsuccessful in finding an id for them.
Bruce
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I was out photographing damselflies (6th June 2004) when these two took my eye. I'm sure that they are not at all rare (they look too familiar) but I have so far been unsuccessful in finding an id for them.
Bruce
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Erland R.N.
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I bet you found those on a leave above the water surface. I have seen that several times, and I think the species I saw is the same as yours. But there may be several similar species.
Wait, just checked our Danish birds and nature site, and there similar pictures are described as:
Donaciinae sp.
i.e. they are not able to ID them down to species. I think there are too many similar. But maybe it's possible from the photo.
Did you photograph them on a cloudy day ? I believe that works best with shiny bugs like these.
Erland
Wait, just checked our Danish birds and nature site, and there similar pictures are described as:
Donaciinae sp.
i.e. they are not able to ID them down to species. I think there are too many similar. But maybe it's possible from the photo.
Did you photograph them on a cloudy day ? I believe that works best with shiny bugs like these.
Erland
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Bruce Williams
- Posts: 1120
- Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 1:41 pm
- Location: Northamptonshire, England
- Contact:
Hi Irwin and Erland,
Thanks for your comments.
Judging by the very soft shadow beneath the female I suspect the day was slightly overcast - otherwise no special technique employed.
Erland, thank you for the tip on Donaciinae (reed beetles). I quickly confirmed that you were absolutely on the right track but it still took me a while to narrow the species id down to a particularly colourful Donacia vulgaris or (Donacia simplex). These two species look so similar- could it be possible that one or other may be a earlier pseudonym?
By the way I really enjoyed your website on Danish dragonflies. Some great photos and some VERY interesting information - highly recommend anyone interested in the odonata pay it a visit.
Bruce
Thanks for your comments.
Judging by the very soft shadow beneath the female I suspect the day was slightly overcast - otherwise no special technique employed.
Erland, thank you for the tip on Donaciinae (reed beetles). I quickly confirmed that you were absolutely on the right track but it still took me a while to narrow the species id down to a particularly colourful Donacia vulgaris or (Donacia simplex). These two species look so similar- could it be possible that one or other may be a earlier pseudonym?
By the way I really enjoyed your website on Danish dragonflies. Some great photos and some VERY interesting information - highly recommend anyone interested in the odonata pay it a visit.
Bruce
