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*Firebug on a Dandelion*


*Firebug on a Dandelion*
Photo Information
Copyright: Thorsten Buchen (thor68) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 792 W: 138 N: 1312] (5642)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-06-14
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Sigma EX 105mm F2.8 DG Macro, SanDisk Ultra II 1GB, Hama sky 1A (LA+10) (IV) 58mm
Exposure: f/14.0, 1/80 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Heteroptera of Europe-1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-06-17 14:56
Viewed: 924
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Firebug (Corizus hyoscyami).

Classis: Insecta
Ordo: Heteroptera

de: Zimtwanze
en: Firebug

The firebug family owes its name to the spectacular
colouring of most species. The red and black colouring
of our most common species looks like a face with
forehead, eyes, nose and mouth in black contrasting
sharply against the red body colour. Firebugs live
very socially and are abundant in high numbers where
appropriate feeding habitats exist. Such clumped
populations have high numbers of individuals because
females usually deposit their eggs together in the
loose soil and under moss and decaying leaves. Larvae
start occurring during June and finish their
development usually by October. The adult insects
spend the winter hidden in the soil. The sexual
biology of this species is very interesting starting
with body vibrations which lead to copulation lasting
as long as 10 to 30 hours, whereby the joined sexual
partners turn their heads in different directions.
This species feeds mainly on plant liquids and is
often found abundant at the base of lindens and malvas
where they suck on fruits and seeds. Cannibalism is
proved as well. Preferring food resources like lindens
they can be found in the immediate vicinity of human
settlements without being of any harm at all. Not all
true bugs suck blood like the bedbug, well known from
war times. Firebugs have only a similar name in
common. About 400 species of firebugs are known world-
wide. In Europe they prefer the temperate zones and
the Mediterranean and occur as far east as India. They
are absent from northern Scandinavia and only locally
distributed in southern England.
Janice, thistle, Dando, coasties, liziafa, glazzaro, SkyF, mario-roberto, lebois, Silke has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To thistle: :-)thor68 2 06-18 02:00
To pgmoni: :-)thor68 1 06-17 16:15
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Critiques [Translate]

Good composition and an excellent bg for this bug. A few burnt spots, but not too bad.
However, this is not Pyrrhocoris apterus, but Corizus hyoscyami. Note that this one does have wings, and "apterus" means wingless.

  • Great 
  • Dando Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 637 W: 32 N: 792] (3084)
  • [2006-06-17 17:00]

Hi Thor, nice shot. I like the way you have the bug surrounded by the seeds of the dandelion, very well composed. Excellent lighting, colours and details. A very difficult shot to focus with all of the components. Well done and TFS.
Dean.

  • Great 
  • takos1 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 264 W: 25 N: 206] (2599)
  • [2006-06-17 17:32]

Bella foto di grande effetto!
Complimenti!
Ciao.
Franco

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2006-06-17 22:34]

Hi Thor, I do like the look of these oretty bugs, and your one here does look so good on the plant. It is all a little soft, but the composition and colours are good,
Janice

Hallo Thorsten,
das ist wirklich wundervoll - obwohl ich Wanzen eigentlich gar nicht mag - aber diese Zusammenstellung und die warmen Farben gefallen mir sehr.
So 'ne Pusteblume ist immer ein Anziehungspunkt, ich glaube da erinnert man sich an die Kindheit zurück und wollte die kleinen "Fallschirmchen" fliegen sehen.
Super Photo, vielen Dank und Gruß
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Hello Thor,
Nice shot! Great colours and interesting POV. Framing works well though I will cut a little more in the upper part. The focus seems to be not exactly on the bug, rather on the seeds. That's are minor nits because overall the picture looks very good.
WELL DONE!

Hi Thorsten

Brilliant shot. The Firebug looks like he is surrounded by 'fireworks'. I love the effect of the transparent thistle fibres. Nice work. :-)

Hi Thorsten,
Very good shot.
Very nice sharp and colors.
Very well done!
TFS Malgosia

Nice detail and exposure, solid comp, well taken macro!

Greg

  • Great 
  • osse Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 962 W: 0 N: 89] (7801)
  • [2006-06-18 20:14]

Hi Thorsten
Nice composition. Great colours and sharpnes. Also good BG and note.
Well done my friend

osse

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12252)
  • [2006-06-18 21:55]

Bonjour Thorsten!

Félicitations pour les belles couleurs et la jolie composition.
Merci pour l'envoie.
joseph

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2233 W: 188 N: 1929] (8127)
  • [2006-06-19 8:54]

Hi Thorsten
Eine wunderschöne farbenfrohe Wanze, ein herrliches Bild. Die Schaerfeverteilung ist und die Bildgestaltung wirklich ganz ausgezeichnet. Die Aufnahme ist Dir 1a gelungen.
Gruss..Sky

Hi Thorsten ! This is an excellent shot ! Woderful details and colors, excellent composition, beautiful light and BG. I love the "hairy" seeds all around the bug, very nice. Well done !
Valérie.

how begane a simple sobject in a good shot.

TFS Mario

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 727 W: 98 N: 1694] (5406)
  • [2006-08-01 17:24]

Ahhhh -- Thorsten! You spoiled my fairy-tale image of firebugs flitting around seeting the world ablaze (^_^). Guess I had to grow up before my grandchildren start arriving, eh? Seriously, this is an excellent capture on many levels: well-handled dof, excellent colours, good BG, super composition and nicely framed for the finish. TFS
A++
Silke

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