Breezy day, on-board flash diffused with Nikon SU-4 diffuser.
Host plant - Gardenia (underside of leaf)
Image 1 and 2 rotated 90° CW
Nikon D100, Micro Nikkor 3.5/55mm and PK13 extension ring. ISO was set to 800 - hence the 'noise' - unintentional/ oops!
Bug and Eggs
Moderators: rjlittlefield, ChrisR, Chris S., Pau
- rjlittlefield
- Site Admin
- Posts: 23626
- Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:34 am
- Location: Richland, Washington State, USA
- Contact:
It appears that Betty is correct. The bug is still shielding the eggs 24hrs later. It became rather protective of the eggs as I attempted to position the lense; so yes Rik, it does appear to be "standing guard"; but I have read that 'eggs, larvae or adults of other invertebrates' also form part of its diet?
I'll keep an eye on the location and see what develops.
I'll keep an eye on the location and see what develops.
Hey Astroboy - welcome!! Great shots of this bug. The last series shows just how protective she is and the little bugs are so cute. I took a photo of a bug just like this one about two weeks ago and was going to ask if anyone knew what it was. I'll still post it but your photos are brilliant
Cheers
Cheers
Sam
'To see a world in a grain of sand And heaven in a wild flower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And eternity in an hour.' William Blake
'To see a world in a grain of sand And heaven in a wild flower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And eternity in an hour.' William Blake
Thanks Sam,
Here is a crop of the next generation.
While I was taking the latest images a bull ant came along; but quickly retreated when challenged by the 'parent'.
Notice the 'red' eyes in this image and the red 'spots' in the earlier images of the 'eggs'.
The image below is the leaf backlit with an off-camera flash.
*later note: 11 days later and bug is still "guarding" the little guys.
Here is a crop of the next generation.
While I was taking the latest images a bull ant came along; but quickly retreated when challenged by the 'parent'.
Notice the 'red' eyes in this image and the red 'spots' in the earlier images of the 'eggs'.
The image below is the leaf backlit with an off-camera flash.
*later note: 11 days later and bug is still "guarding" the little guys.
Last edited by AstroBoy on Sat Oct 31, 2009 1:06 am, edited 1 time in total.