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Where is it?
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This picture shows Sabre wasp (Rhyssa persuasoria)- Zgłębiec trzpiennikowaty in polish. This one was about 30 mm long but the long antennae on his tail has 40-45 mm.
Behaviour of this species is very specific:
'Ichneumons are parasites that lay their eggs in or on the larvae of other insects or spiders. The HOSTS of giant ichneumons are usually the larvae of horntails, or wood wasps (Orocerus gigas), and related species, as well as the larvae of longhorn beetles (Monochamus sutor). The female looks for hosts, which live within fallen timber. She may detect them through the smell of their droppings, which are then contaminated by fungi, or by sensing their vibrations within the wood. However she does it, the accuracy with which she locates them is remarkable. When she finds the right spot, she drives her slender ovipositor into the wood (which can be inches thick) by rotating the two halves backwards and forwards very rapidly. She lays one egg next to or on the host larvae. The whole process takes about 20-40 minutes. When the fly larvae hatches it feeds externally on the host. It overwinters and pupates in the spring before emerging from the wood. Giant ichneumons sometimes emerge in houses from furniture made from new timber. The adults are active from July-August. They inhabit clearings, tracks and footpaths in coniferous forest.' (info from: http://www.ycy63.dial.pipex.com/insects/sabrewasp.html)
Picture shows moment of localizing larvae inside the wood. Was taken during my lessons in Rogowo forests where we used to trip as a part of education in my studies- forestry.
It was quite dark and I didn't have tripod with me so I had to use a flash. |
Proframe, SkyF, chpp has marked this note useful
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- inked
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 132 W: 0 N: 249]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(771) - [2008-04-16 1:37]
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hi Adrian,
awesome shot! great side on pov to really show whats goin on.. nice detail and focus. just a pity that the whole tail antennae thing didn't quite make it into the frame. great job all the same. tfs
Gethin
Hello Adrian,
Very nice shot of this Giant Ichneumon Wasp with it's total lenght of almost 10 centimeters.
Wonderful how you've captured the Wasp drilling a hole in the tree.
Excellent focus on the Wasp, sharpness and depth of field.
It does stand out nicely against the color tones in the background.
Verry nice colors and details.
Pity there is some nois in the background and it sems to me like the contrast is a bit to high.
Nevertheless a wonderful image of this beautiful species.
Very well done and good note also. Thanks for sharing!
Best regards, Harry
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- mariki
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 838 W: 60 N: 2307]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(9477) - [2008-04-16 6:01]
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Hello Adrian,
Very nice and interesting picture of this wasp. Good POV, DOF and sharpness. Good lighting. These black shiny insects are not easy to capture. Beautiful colours.
Well done,
Cheers,
Mariki
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- SkyF
(8073)
- [2008-04-16 12:48]
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Hi Adrian,
looks like this insect is very well equipped for defence.
Great shot, excellent macro work.
POV, sharpness and details are fabulous.
TFS..Sky
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- chpp (51)
- [2008-05-29 16:57]
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Hi Adrian
Amazing details and light in this shot
very nice image
cheers
C
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 198 W: 29 N: 592]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}