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Megascolia maculata maculata


Megascolia maculata maculata
Photo Information
Copyright: Catherine Dijon (CatherineD) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 862 W: 57 N: 4063] (14280)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-06-27
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 40 D, Canon EF 100 mm F2.8 Macro USM
Exposure: f/13.0, 1/80 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-07-06 10:35
Viewed: 3732
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
Megascolia maculata maculata (Drury)
syn. Scolia haemorrhoidalis Fabricius
syn. Scolia (Triscolia) flavifrons var. haemorrhoidalis F. (Berland)

Solitary wasps of the genus Megascolia rank among the largest representatives of the European waps fauna. Females can reach a body lenght of 45mm and display a wide, yellow-marked head which gave them their vernacular name "large yellow-headed scoliid wasp". Males are usually smaller and are characterised by long antennae, much longer that those of their conspecific females. The tip of the males' abdomen has a series of three tiny spines. Females of this genus paralyse and develop upon large white grubs such Lucanus cervus, Oryctes nasicornis or Polyphylla fullo. The paralysis has been described by Fabre (1886) and Piek et al. (1983), and illustrated by Vereecken & Carrière (2003). (Atlas Hymenoptera)
Despite the warning coloration and intimidating appearance this insect poses no threat to humans.
The brown-red hairs of this species (particularly of the female) help to make the difference with the similar species Megascolia maculata flavifrons, which has black hairs. (See an interesting topic, with a key, about it in Italian on Naturamediterraneo forum.)
Distribution: Central and Eastern Europe, Turkey, Near-East.

Photo taken on Ikaria island, municipality of Rahes
red45, cloud, nglen, cataclysta, Argus, horias, zulfu, jlinaresp has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To cloud: Right!CatherineD 1 07-06 13:36
To cataclysta: Yes!CatherineD 1 07-06 13:35
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Catherine - I saw this species in May 2008 in Crete - it's a very impressive insect! Even though it is larger than a Hornet I did not feel afraid of it. A good capture, though it looks like the wasp was moving slightly when the shot was taken. Good details and well composed.
Kind Regards
Vinny

Bonjour Catherine ....
oooh la drôle de bêbête
je ne connais pas cette espèce mais elle est jolie et haute en couleur,
bravo et merci de partager
amitiés,
Pat

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2645 W: 74 N: 9100] (31089)
  • [2009-07-06 10:51]

Hello Catherine!

Slightly dark, but still well visible. This specie is new to me - looks rather big and dangerous. Good vertial composition with violet flower. Interesting note - maybe not dangerous, but still looks dangerous :-)

  • Great 
  • cloud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 446 W: 107 N: 1396] (8092)
  • [2009-07-06 11:13]
  • [+]

Hello Catherine,
Although isn't it so beautiful as butterflies but is interesting even I see first time. Good close up, maybe light is too hard.
Regards, Pawel

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3944 W: 141 N: 10449] (35567)
  • [2009-07-06 11:15]

Hello Catherine,
Another good one from Greece. Impressive insect. Beautiful natural colors and very sharp. Excellent POV and composition.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2961 W: 30 N: 9678] (36105)
  • [2009-07-06 11:18]

Hi Catherine. This is a fine close up of the unusual looking wasp. You have taken it with first class detail and bright colours. From your side view we can see all of the markings. A good pose on the flower. All with interesting notes. well done TFS.
Nick..

Hi Catherine
Maybe it is not perfectly sharp but this species is rarely presented on TN. Very nice documentary shot and good, informative note
TFS
Krzysztof

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4883 W: 248 N: 15171] (48744)
  • [2009-07-06 11:27]

Hello Catherine,
A fine capture of this impressive Solitary Wasp nicely composed on the flower stem of pink flowers. Must be marvellous to this this fine insect and to take such a shot of it even better.
Thanks,
Regards,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • horias Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 834 W: 61 N: 2022] (10629)
  • [2009-07-06 11:30]

Hello Catherine,
Great capture, a very good sharpness, a lovely color,and a great note!
For all of this, my admiration!!!
Horia

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 685 W: 0 N: 2] (43)
  • [2009-07-06 13:10]

Hello Catherine, superb close-up shot of this wasp. Great details and nice composition.
TFS and G's,
Mehmet

Bonjour Catherine,

Bonnes couleurs, de la bonne composition de poids à gauche, bien géré, compte tenu de la taille et la structure de l'insecte.

J'ai l'impression de voir une over exposition minimale à l'avant de l'insecte, mais rien de ce qui affecte l'ensemble de trop.

Bon travail, salutations et merci beaucoup pour le partage

Jesús

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