Spotted bug on the top of the grass

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MacroLuv
Posts: 1964
Joined: Mon Aug 28, 2006 2:36 pm
Location: Croatia

Spotted bug on the top of the grass

Post by MacroLuv »

Seems it was keeping the same place and pose (uncomfortable? :shock:) for at least 15 seconds (time between two shots).
Both images hand held. :D

Image

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

Image

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
The meaning of beauty is in sharing with others.

P.S.
Noticing of my "a" and "the" and other grammar
errors are welcome. :D

Planapo
Posts: 1581
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:33 am
Location: Germany, in the United States of Europe

Post by Planapo »

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
Posts: 251
Joined: Wed Dec 13, 2006 2:28 pm
Location: Hungary
Contact:

Post by acerola »

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
Péter

Planapo
Posts: 1581
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:33 am
Location: Germany, in the United States of Europe

Post by Planapo »

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
Posts: 3578
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 4:19 am
Location: Southern New Hampshire USA

Post by beetleman »

WOW, That is very interesting info. Really nice photos Nikola.
Take Nothing but Pictures--Leave Nothing but Footprints.
Doug Breda

MacroLuv
Posts: 1964
Joined: Mon Aug 28, 2006 2:36 pm
Location: Croatia

Post by MacroLuv »

Thanks folks! :D
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. :wink:
The meaning of beauty is in sharing with others.

P.S.
Noticing of my "a" and "the" and other grammar
errors are welcome. :D

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