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Bee Robber(Death's-head Hawkmoth)


Bee Robber(Death's-head Hawkmoth)
Photo Information
Copyright: Goutham Ramesh (goutham_ramesh) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 778 W: 152 N: 2579] (10360)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-10-16
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D50, Sigma 180 Macro Ex HSM
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-10-17 10:58
Viewed: 268
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi all,
Look at the The skull pattern on its head , this is Death's-head Hawkmoth !!!!

This specimen is Acherontia styx, which is is a Sphingid moth found in Asia, one of the three species of Death's-head Hawkmoth, also known as the Bee Robber. It is very fond of honey and bee keepers have reported to have found dead moths in their hives as a result of bee stings. They can mimic the scent of bees so that they can enter a hive unharmed to get honey. Their tongue, which is stout and very strong, enables them to pierce the wax cells of the beehive and suck the honey out. They are also known to be a pest of yuzu (Citrus junos) in South Korea, using their tongue to pierce and damage the fruit.

TFV
www.gouthamramesh.com
parasbhalla, nglen, CatherineD, eqshannon, nasokoun, cicindela, sandpiper2, matatur has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Namastay Goutham,

First of all, a very Happy Diwali to you!

A superb macro capture of the moth with superb details! The color of the moth are standing very well against the blurry green BG. The way you diagonally placed the branch in an elegant frame, is just wonderful.

Very well done!

best regards,
Paras

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2924 W: 34 N: 8671] (32310)
  • [2009-10-17 11:04]

Hi Goutham. This is a moth i have never seen a picture of so thanks for posting this beauty. Taken with a fine POV so we can see all of its markings. i can see where it gets its name. Sharp focusing has given fine detail. All with natural colours. well taken TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • Arjun Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 359 W: 7 N: 1114] (5420)
  • [2009-10-17 11:19]

hi goutham,
this looked more beautiful in your camera :) lol !!!

Very nice details and composition . I had never seen this before
TFS

  • Great 
  • Ishi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 163 W: 0 N: 976] (3730)
  • [2009-10-17 11:34]

Lovely picture of this most interesting moth. Excellent composition, focus and colors.

Well done!

Ishi

  •      
  • smurali Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 207 W: 14 N: 609] (3582)
  • [2009-10-17 11:38]

Wow ! Deadly skull sign on the head. Very good find.

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2411 W: 94 N: 5569] (17712)
  • [2009-10-17 11:55]

Hello Goutham,
Beautiful and very special photo of a Hawkmoth I've never seen. Great sharpness and patterns. Beautiful natural colours and an excellent diagonal composition. Good POV, DOF and OOF BG.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2009-10-17 13:04]

Wonderful macro photo, Goutham!
Very detailed with exceptional clarity.
Great DOF which has blurred the BG nicely.
I love the saturated colours.

Well done,

Joe

Hello Goutham,
Excellent shot, with a nice diagonal composition and beautiful backlight. Interesting note too. Best regards,
Catherine

Wonderful lighting Goutham. It gives the image an almost surreal appearance, but then comes the note of the skull! Drama in photography......A small step outside of reptiles and amphibians but a good 0one . As baseball players tell their pitchers here in the US.."Good Eye"
Bob

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5579] (18518)
  • [2009-10-17 20:31]

Hi Goutham,
Outstanding shot with very impressive sharpness and details. Superb lighting, exposure and DOF and I like this diagonal composition. Skillfull work. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Hello Goutham
impressive scene and insect,in a very good presentation,her photo output is great,composition light colours...all!
TFS thanks for sharing
Nasos

Hello Goutham!
This species is also known from Poland where it is strictly protected by law as an extremely rare moth.
I like composition of this photo and details. Anyway, I think that you sharpened the insects a little too much, it doesn't look too natural comparing with BG.
Greetings,
Radomir

Hi Goutham

Great shot of this unusually marked moth, great pattern. Excellent sharpness and background, good DOF.

Chris

Good backlighted image Goutham, your "robber" looks so similar to our moth, Acherontia atropos, well maybe the mask is a little different in ours...
Cheers,
Mehmet

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