Blister Beetle

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 8:50 pm

I have just had a look at the last batch of pics I took and came across this one of a Blister Beetle which I though to be pretty good. They cluster on flowers in their hundred and devour everything in sight. A real bane to gardeners.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 3:17 am

I really like the details in this.

The fine hairs along the thorax and head, the leathery appearance of the exoskeleton itself. Even the segmentation in the antennae pretty well captured. I rarely see beetles. Don't know why? Maybe it is that I'm not looking for them or something.

Really a nice image, I like this.

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 7:34 am

Thanks for the lovely comment Ken.

MacroLuv · Post by **MacroLuv** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:15 am

This is one nice fat beetle on lovely red flower.

They can eat the flowers like a grass mower!

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:23 am

They can eat the flowers like a grass mower!

They sure can Nikola, especially as there are so many of them on each flower.

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 6:48 am

A great image Joan. A very colorful one. I like the yellow antennae

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 6:58 am

Thanks Doug. They are kind of cute aren't they.

jaharris1001 · Post by **jaharris1001** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 5:44 pm

wow Joan,, beautifull colors in this shot !! How come I havent seen this one somewhere else ?

Very cool shot !!

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 6:38 pm

Thanks for the great comment Jim.

This pic did come out rather well. As you can see I have been quite busy on this forum for a while.

Erland R.N. · Post by **Erland R.N.** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 3:27 am

I think I've photographed the same or a very similar species in South Africa a year ago. My pictures were not good, but yours of this is much better.

You could have the beetle taking up a bit less of the frame, and thereby also get a bit more Depth Of Field. But to me this looks good too.

Erland

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 7:08 am

Thanks for the lovely comment Erland. We do have quite a few species of blister beetle here including one which is red and black. The species in this picture is found through most of the country but not in the Cape, or very dry, area.