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Diamond Beetle


Diamond Beetle
Photo Information
Copyright: Chris Chafer (sandpiper2) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1906 W: 107 N: 4875] (16757)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-02-06
Categories: Insects
Camera: Fujifilm Finepix S5000, Fujinon 10X zoom
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/450 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Beetles and Bugs of the world, Invertebrates & Fungi of the Sydney region. [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-03-02 5:14
Viewed: 4826
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
One of my favourite summer time beetles is this one, the Botany Bay Weevil or Diamond Beetle (Chrysolopus spectabilis). It’s fairly large weevil, around 25mm and can be common in some years when conditions are right. This summer has not been great with large areas of eastern Australia still affected by drought and insect productivity is noticeably poor. I had hoped to bring you many beetles, but it’s been a very lean season for both beetles and butterflies.
There are about 6,000 species of weevil (Family Curculionidae) and this is the largest beetle group in Australia. Most species have a long snout which they use to chew holes into plants for food and creating egg chambers. This species was one of the first described from eastern Australia, when it was collected by the botanist Sir Joseph Banks in Botany Bay, just south of Sydney, in 1770. This species is patchily distributed through in woodlands and heathlands through south-eastern Australia, where it prefers areas with lots of Acacias.
I have put a front view of the weevil in the workshop, which shows the snout and eye deatil. Hope you like it.
LordPotty, dew77, PDP, Fisher, pgmoni, naki, willie, marhowie, Luc, Callie, Signal-Womb, Miss_Piggy has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Thats one interesting weevil Chris. I wonder what that would be camouflaged against?
Good old Sir Joseph eh. He got around a bit, and found some amazing stuff. Jimmy was lucky to have him on board.
I've always had a soft spot for weevils...of course my favourite is the Giraffe weevil that I posted a few weeks ago. Cheers for this one. Steve.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4432 W: 248 N: 4028] (13270)
  • [2005-03-02 6:35]

That's a very good pose and composition!I'm sorry about the lean season for beetles and butterflies in Australia.
Thanks for the notes...

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2005-03-02 6:54]

He looks a pretty big bug from here. Weird colours. Great shot Chris, nice composition. Well done.

Well done on this capture. Excelent composition and details.

Mike

  • Great 
  • pgmoni Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 343 W: 100 N: 637] (2769)
  • [2005-03-02 7:55]
  • [2]

Well done Chris! The beetle is gorgeous, and the pose very dynamic... for a weevil! I would say your shot shows how even bright colours, when properly distributed and mixed with dark areas, can be very efficient for camouflaging. You have to look twice to see the general shape of the insect.

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1455 W: 74 N: 1426] (4750)
  • [2005-03-02 12:04]

Wonderful picture, it's telling a story and that's always great. Razorsharp details and superb colors. Well done. TFS!

What a specimen. It's huge and colorful. Very interesting Chris. Lovely shot, Well done.

  • Great 
  • naki Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 382 W: 27 N: 5] (40)
  • [2005-03-02 14:31]

It looks just get out from a lime pit. Funny looking bug but a good photo.
Well done

Gotta run, critique later

Chris, Very nice shot. Great detail & I like your title..Well done!

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1101 W: 95 N: 2610] (7555)
  • [2005-03-04 17:24]
  • [2]

Hi Chris, A beautiful critter, The question is, why do they always appear where we cannot get a clear BG shot? But his is about the sharing of and from nature, so I appreciate it, the colours are great, TFS.

Thats one tough looking beetle Chris, fantastic armor and unusual markings...very nice capture well done.

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2006-09-05 13:43]

Hi Chris,
I've just discovered your Diamond Beetle! You've got a very nice shot here. I've just put in the one I shot in Australia last Nov.
I wonder where you found yours?
TFS and regards, Ulla

Hallo Chris
This is a great looking and colourful species, with real huge legs. Lovely colours, with pretty good sharpness. Interesting looking beetle. Good close-up, of this gorgeous insect. The pose is stunning and the insect seems to be full of life. I like the presentation as a whole.
Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards.
Anna

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