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Ammophila


Ammophila
Photo Information
Copyright: Philippe Moniotte (pgmoni) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 342 W: 95 N: 610] (2556)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08-03
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D 80, Nikkor 105mm f2.8D micro
Exposure: f/32, 1/1500 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): PGMONI [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-01-11 0:34
Viewed: 1015
Points: 6
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Ammophila sabulosa has one of the most sophisticated hunting behavior amongst the digger wasps.
(Crabronidae, used to be Sphecidae)
The female ammophila starts by digging a burrow in the sand, 5 to 20 cm deep. It temporarily closes the entry hole with a small flat pebble.
Then comes the hunting phase, when the wasp looks for a large hairless caterpillar (usually a noctuidae), paralyzes it by stinging repeatedly in the chain of nerve ganglions and carries it on foot to the nest.
After the prey is securely at the bottom of the burrow, the egg is laid and the burrow closed for ever with sand and gravel.
When the egg hatches, the small wasp grub will eat the caterpillar, alive but immobile, starting with the least important organs, so as to keep it fresh untill the end.
JoseMiguel, meyerd has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Salut Philippe,
This is a well detailed macro!
I like the close approach made to the insect, and the composition built to fill the diagonal with the the full body with it.
The orange spot at its abdomen creates a very nice colour accent.
Felicitacions et merci du partage.
Mes amities,
JM

Hi Philippe, superb macro of beautiful wasp, I never see before, thanks, lovely composition with splendid colors, excellent details and wonderful sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • meyerd Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 519 W: 68 N: 1696] (5366)
  • [2008-02-17 23:37]

Hi Philippe,

magnifique! I'm really glad to see a rabronid on TN. You caught one not on drab sandy ground but on a flower. The beauty of it! You mastered the technical aspects (light, focus, white-black contrast) very well, even if the focus is slightly on the off side. Thanks for sharing.
My best regards
Dietrich

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