Spotted bug on the top of the grass

MacroLuv · Post by **MacroLuv** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:39 am

Seems it was keeping the same place and pose (uncomfortable?

) for at least 15 seconds (time between two shots).
Both images hand held.

Model Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
Date/time original 06.06.2007 13:49:58
Shutter speed value 1/160 s
Aperture value f/11
ISO speed ratings ISO 400
Focal length 100 mm

Model Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
Date/time original 06.06.2007 13:50:13
Shutter speed value 1/200 s
Aperture value f/11
ISO speed ratings ISO 400
Focal length 100 mm

Planapo · Post by **Planapo** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:32 am

Very interesting find, Nikola!

This looks like a beetle of the genus Clytra.

The larvae of C. quadripunctata that I am familiar with, live as myrmecophiles in the nests of Formica ants. They build a protective case that covers them (similarly like caddis fly larvae) but out of hardened faeces in which they can totally retreat and close the opening with their firm head capsule and thus are protected against ants attacking them.

The adult female beetle when laying eggs, assumes a very similar posture to the one that is shown on your photos. (Maybe you can remember if Formica ants where around when you were shooting these pics?).

The female already packs the egg into such a protective case made of hardened faeces which looks like a little fir cone and is dropped directly onto a Formica mound or amidsts ants and they will carry it into the nest.

--Betty

acerola · Post by **acerola** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 2:49 pm

Maybe she hold her egg between her hind legs. There is something visible on the first shot. I posted a similar picture some times ago:
http://photomacrography1.net/forum/view ... ght=#13241

Planapo · Post by **Planapo** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:17 am

Thanks for the link to your very nice picture, Péter!
I hadn´t seen this one before. Your pic clearly shows the egg case in its characteristic fir cone shape.

--Betty

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:40 am

WOW, That is very interesting info. Really nice photos Nikola.

MacroLuv · Post by **MacroLuv** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 11:01 am

Thanks folks!

It was very educative. If I only knew those facts before. I should wait till the eggs appears.

Betty, I didn't see any ants around.

Planapo wrote:Very interesting find, Nikola!

--Betty

Yep! And just imagine all that biodiversity on a single small isle which measures only 2.73 square kilometers! You can easy walk around along the seashore, only 8 km!
You should consider Croatia as your south place.