<< Previous Next >>

The preffered Animal


The preffered Animal
Photo Information
Copyright: Gerhard Theron (gerhardt) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1936 W: 244 N: 4106] (11620)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-11-12
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Tamron AF70-300mm LD, Digital ISO 100, Kenko Extension tube (36mm)
Exposure: f/11, 1/25 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Things in and around my house., Beetles and Bugs of the world [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-11-12 3:41
Viewed: 5600
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hooked-winged Net-winged Beetle (Lycus melanurus)

PLEASE CLICK FOR LARGE VERSION

Very little is known about this specific species, so I will discuss the family and order a bit today. It can easily be confused with Agathosma imbricata but the sharp spikes at the top of the thorax is the distinguishing mark.

Family: Lycidae
Also known as Net-winged or Lycid Beetles.

Net-winged Beetles are elongated beetles and may be found on flowers or on plant surfaces. Some species adults are nectar-feeders, some do not feed at all. Their head is usually triangular in shape. Antennae are medium long and thick. Larvae can be found under bark or in leaf litter. Lycid adults are commonly seen flying at dusk. The bright orange and black colors are a warning to predators that it is highly toxic and distasteful. Many other insects including flies, wasps and other beetles mimic its colors. Some of these are also toxic, but some are not and gain the same benefit. The orange could be the second most popular visual warning signal in the insect world, next to the yellow and black strips of wasps and bees.

Order: Coleoptera
Or true bugs, is the largest and most diverse order of insects. Their size is ranges from 0.5mm to 200mm. Coleoptera means “sclerotised wings”. All beetles have hard forewings, called elytra, which do not do much help in flying but cover the membranous hind wings and protect the abdomen. Some beetles cannot fly but some others can fly very fast. When flying the hind wings extended to the flight position. The forewings, or elytra, are lift up vertically or in side way, which is believed will have some aerodynamic effect on the flight. When at rest, the elytra meet edge to edge in a straight line at the centre over the abdomen.

Beetles may be success in number of species, but not quite when counting the number of individual. When we go out to the field, usually you will see a lot of ants, moths, flies, and grasshoppers. If you visit some special place, such as pond, rivers, flower plants, forest, etc, you may easily found the dragonflies, butterflies etc. But to find a beetle may not so easily. Instead of saying beetle is a success family, I will say they have the most number of species in their order.

I think "the Creator, had a special preference for beetles, and so we might be more likely to meet them than any other type of animal on a planet that would support life"

Technical data
Time of day: 6:32AM
Weather conditions: Slightly overcast
Focal length: 88mm
Flash: Canon Speedlight 550EX
Manfrotto 055 PRO Tripod, Manfrotto #222 Ballhead
Camera mode: Aperture priority
willie, marhowie, RAP, AndyB, Luc, red45, PDP, extramundi has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Very interesting shot, great note I like it.
It really looks like a leaf.
Well done Gerhard.

  • Great 
  • willie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1023 W: 61 N: 648] (2083)
  • [2004-11-12 3:52]
  • [2]

Good compo. Very nice colours and detail. Also good notes. Job well done

Gerhard, Gee wiz, you dazzles me with near-perfection, (have to leave some room for improvement!). Your presentation with both perspectives is great. Superp detail, clarity & sharpness seen. Comprehensive information with the addition of your technical data very helpful..;-)) You da man!!

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-11-12 5:54]

Espectacular especie, sin dudas Gerhard.
Gran composicion de 2 imágenes con atinados POV, excelente agudeza, colorido y DOF en ambos casos.
La version LP es un punto adicional por la calidad en semejante tamaño.
Interesante y completa nota tambien.

Spectacular species, without doubts Gerhard.
Great composition of 2 images with accurate POV, excellent sharpness, colorful and DOF in both cases.
Version LP is an additional point by the quality in so alike large.
Interesting and completes note also.

Crazy looking bugs, which you have made into a work of art. Everything is excellent, DOF, POV, composition and a large version just to show off the superb quality of the lens and camera. What more can be said...oh yes the encylopedic notes - very good.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-11-12 7:30]

It looks like he is wearing a coat. Beutiful capture and I am glad that you posted it - I have not seen one of these yet. The sharpness and DOF is great.

Thanks for posting

Great LP again Gerhard.
You have been a expert with these tubes.
Very good sharpness with good details and good colours and composition.
Great note.
Excellent work.

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1366 W: 32 N: 1351] (3982)
  • [2004-11-12 8:01]

Excellent work and great presentaion.
Nice sharp detail and textures.
Everything spot on!
An unusual looking beetle.
Excellent work,well done.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1835 W: 301 N: 4287] (14767)
  • [2004-11-12 9:13]

Good work Gerhard!
Your LP presentation is very well.
And a 'killer' note.
TFS.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2636 W: 74 N: 9091] (31094)
  • [2004-11-12 10:15]

Excellent colours and composition. I like shape of this beetle and contrast within beetle and leaf.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2004-11-12 14:09]

Wow! Never seen anything like that before! What and interesting bug. Well done Gerhard, the photos are excellent and thanks very much for showing this to us.

WOW Gerhard, I love Large Views and this one look taken in studio, what a quality. The bug is also fantastic as well as you note, complete and very elegant. Thanks very much.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF