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Invertebrate finesse


Invertebrate finesse
Photo Information
Copyright: Zdravko Kolev (Zedrules) (62)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-06-05
Categories: Insects
Camera: Minolta A2
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Eliz strange, exotic or little known species - 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-06-16 12:02
Viewed: 1258
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is Nemoptera sinuata, an insect belonging to the order Neuroptera (nerve-wings) and in my opinion the most elegant and exotic-looking of European insects. While there are some European butterflies and moths with long tails on the hindwings which make them look very exotic indeed, in genus Nemoptera the whole of the hindwing is transformed into a tail which can be up to 8 cm long in N. sinuata and towards the end widens into a very stylish spirally twisted teardrop-shape.

This species lives in the Eastern Mediterranean of Europe and the Near East; in the western Mediterranean it is replaced by a similar species, Nemoptera bipennis.

These insects are relatives of the more familiar and more conventional-looking ant lions. Like the latter, their larvae are predators and feed on ant larvae whereas the adults only eat pollen from flowers. The adults have a slow and fluttery flight and often alight on flowers or other low vegetation. However in the hotter hours of the day they are surprisingly easy to scare into flight and consequently difficult to photograph. This photo was taken in the Rhodopi Mts. in South Bulgaria in the late afternoon as these insects settle down for the night.
LordPotty, pablominto, meyerd has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • pvb Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 376 W: 16 N: 495] (1861)
  • [2007-06-16 12:10]

Hi Zdravko,
This is a very beautiful insecte. I like the long tail. Beautiful pattern on the wings. Very good focus and shaprness with lots of details.
Very nice composition and pov and with good colours and blurred bg.
TFS Paula

Wonderful shot,great taked,..

Hello Zdravko.

Excellent picture, nice composition and colors.

Regards.
Jose Luis.

  • Great 
  • BG07 Silver Star Critiquer [C: 14 W: 0 N: 1] (48)
  • [2007-06-16 15:52]

Браво! Чудесна снимка!

What an amazing looking insect. It's a wonderful capture. He is just beautiful. Thanks for sharing him.

Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • batu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1059 W: 290 N: 3944] (13334)
  • [2007-06-17 3:46]

Hello Zdravko,
this is a beautifully composed picture showing the delicate insect very nice. By a slightly lower point of view, the flowers would have become less prominent and the insect more attracting.
Best wishes, Peter

Hello Zdravko,
great photo, well composed and wonderful subject.
regards
Matt.

Hello Zdravko,
This is a beautiful and interesting insect.
I don't believe it has featured on TN before, but I may be wrong.
An excellent capture with great colour and detail.
A bit of a shame the flowers were OOF and overexposed because they do distract a little, but the insect is perfect.
Great work.
Cheers, Steve

Hello Zdravko,
A very delicate image!
Immpressive insect is captured, superb macro work has been done and the result is amazing...
Fine dynamic composition, colours & details are top shelf!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hi Zdravko,
I discovered this Nemoptera with much pleasure. A truly fine portrait you did here. The white flower almost overpowered the scene but you dealt well with the problem. Good composition! A fine macro, Zdravko!
Best regards
Dietrich

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