Like an ancient warrior...

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Tonikon
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Like an ancient warrior...

Post by Tonikon »

Hi everyone,
today a classic portrait of an Antlion (Myrmeleontidae).
Stacking of 121 images by a Lomo 3.7x 0.11.
Ciao
Toni
Attachments
Antlion
Antlion

MarkSturtevant
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Re: Like an ancient warrior...

Post by MarkSturtevant »

That is really nice! The eyes still have plenty of sparkle to them. I understand that is lost over time.
Mark Sturtevant
Dept. of Still Waters

Tonikon
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Re: Like an ancient warrior...

Post by Tonikon »

Thanks, Mark...Myrmeleontidae are really fascinating insects with their enormous eyes.

BugEZ
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Location: Loves Park Illinois

Re: Like an ancient warrior...

Post by BugEZ »

Nice image!

I was struck by the resemblance to Lacewings. Especially the brilliant spherical eyes. I checked BugGuide and discovered that Lacewings and Ant Lions are closely related. Interesting!

https://bugguide.net/node/view/61


Keith

Tonikon
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Re: Like an ancient warrior...

Post by Tonikon »

Yes Keith... they are closely related (taxonomically) and share the same order (Neuroptera) and the same suborder (Planipennia).
All Planipennia have similar appearance: large lateral compound eyes, strong mandibles suitable for chewing and four wings, usually similar in size and shape, and a generalised pattern of veins. The larvae are specialised predators, with elongated mandibles adapted for piercing and sucking.
A while ago, I also photographed a lacewings with really huge eyes!
Attachments
Common lacewings (Crisopidae).jpg

Adalbert
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Re: Like an ancient warrior...

Post by Adalbert »

very nice :smt038

abpho
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Re: Like an ancient warrior...

Post by abpho »

Nice images Tonikon.
I'm in Canada! Isn't that weird?

BugEZ
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Location: Loves Park Illinois

Re: Like an ancient warrior...

Post by BugEZ »

Tonikon wrote
A while ago I also photographed a lacewing...
A lovely specimen indeed! The green lacewings I have photographed in Northern Illinois often have eyes like golden BBs when fresh. They become black after they have been dead for a while.
Aloha

Tonikon
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Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2008 2:58 pm
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Re: Like an ancient warrior...

Post by Tonikon »

Hi BugEZ,
usually I prefer to photograph "fresh" bugs, but in this case I'm not sure at all...
In Sicily we have the Chrysoperla meditarrea, endemic of Sicily and Sardinia (for Italy)...it may be that the Mediterranean species has darker eyes, or it is a not very fresh specimen ... honestly I don't remember but next time I will remember to check this detail.

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