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Ladybug


Ladybug
Photo Information
Copyright: Gert Paassen (Gert-Paassen) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1213 W: 2 N: 4583] (13856)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-07-02
Categories: Insects
Exposure: f/16, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-10-18 20:56
Viewed: 208
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [Dutch]
Today a picture take on my second vacation to the Veluwe and for short I don't know what is was.
I have been thought its a caterpillar from one buteerfly specie but no it's not.
So I Hope you like this one and thanks for looking and critique.
I found this one on the Linaria specie that I have been posted twice.


Coccinellidae is a family of beetles, known variously as ladybirds (UK, Ireland, Australia, South Africa), ladybugs (North America) or lady beetles (preferred by some scientists). Lesser-used names include ladyclock, lady cow, and lady fly.

They are small insects, ranging from 1 mm to 10 mm (0.04 to 0.4 inches), and are commonly yellow, orange, or scarlet with small black spots on their wing covers, with black legs, head and antennae. A very large number of species are mostly or entirely black, grey, or brown and may be difficult for non-entomologists to recognize as coccinellids (and, conversely, there are many small beetles that are easily mistaken as such, like tortoise beetles).

Coccinellids are found worldwide, with over 5,000 species described,[2] more than 450 native to North America alone.

A few species are pests in North America and Europe, but they are generally considered useful insects as many species feed on aphids or scale insects, which are pests in gardens, agricultural fields, orchards, and similar places. The Mall of America, for instance, releases thousands of ladybugs into its indoor park as a natural means of pest control for its gardens.

A common myth is that the number of spots on its back indicates its age. This myth is not true.

Coccinellids are typically predators of Hemiptera such as aphids and scale insects, though conspecific larvae and eggs can also be important resources when alternative prey are scarce. Members of the subfamily Epilachninae are herbivores, and can be very destructive agricultural pests (e.g., the Mexican bean beetle). While predatory species are often used as biological control agents, introduced species of ladybirds (such as Harmonia axyridis or Coccinella septempunctata in North America) outcompete and displace native coccinellids and become pests in their own right.

Coccinellids are often brightly colored to ward away potential predators. This phenomenon is called aposematism and works because predators learn by experience to associate certain prey phenotypes with a bad taste (or worse). Mechanical stimulation (such as by predator attack) causes "reflex bleeding" in both larval and adult ladybird beetles, in which an alkaloid toxin is exuded through the joints of the exoskeleton, deterring feeding. Ladybirds, as well as other Coccinellids are known to spray a toxin that is venomous to certain mammals and other insects when threatened.

Most coccinellids overwinter as adults, aggregating on the south sides of large objects such as trees or houses during the winter months, dispersing in response to increasing day length in the spring. In Harmonia axyridis, eggs hatch in 3–4 days from clutches numbering from a few to several dozen. Depending on resource availability, the larvae pass through four instars over 10–14 days, after which pupation occurs. After a teneral period of several days, the adults become reproductively active and are able to reproduce again, although they may become reproductively quiescent if eclosing late in the season.

It is thought that certain species of Coccinellids lay extra infertile eggs with the fertile eggs. These appear to provide a backup food source for the larvae when they hatch. The ratio of infertile to fertile eggs increases with scarcity of food at the time of egg laying.

Most coccinellids are beneficial to gardeners in general, as they feed on aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, and mites throughout the year. As in many insects, ladybugs in temperate regions enter diapause during the winter, so they often are among the first insects to appear in the spring. Some species (e.g., Hippodamia convergens) gather into groups and move to higher land, such as a mountains, to enter diapause. Predatory ladybugs are usually found on plants where aphids or scale insects are, and they lay their eggs near their prey, to increase the likelihood the larvae will find the prey easily. Ladybugs are cosmopolitan in distribution, as are their prey.

Although native species of coccinellids are typically considered benign, in North America the multicolored Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis), introduced in the twentieth century to control aphids on agricultural crops, has become a serious household pest in some regions owing to its habit of overwintering in structures. It is similarly acquiring a pest reputation in Europe, where it is called the "Multicoloured Asian Ladybird" (In Britain: "Harlequin Ladybird") (see main article Harmonia axyridis for discussion).

nasokoun, horias, siggi, ferranjlloret, nglen, Pentaxfriend, goldyrs has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6166] (21070)
  • [2009-10-18 21:53]

Hi Gert,
I do like your baby ladybug!
The first time I saw one and realized it was a young ladybug, I was so surprised!
I never imagined a immature ladybug to look like that. : P
This is a great shot of one!
Wonderful POV and details.
TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • nagraj Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 567 W: 94 N: 1194] (4878)
  • [2009-10-18 22:40]

Hi,
Very fine presentation, good composition and details. colors are very good that includes the background. tfs.
nagraj.v

hello Gert
very beautiful scene,her isolation and the POV also,very fine colours and details,very fine result!
TFS thanks for sharing
Nasos

Gert
Wonderful caterpillar of Ladybug!
Lovely...but I like more this adult of this beautiful creature!
Horia

Good photo,nice clarity and colours.Well done.Regards.Alin.

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1339 W: 0 N: 2582] (9107)
  • [2009-10-19 7:18]

Hi Gert,
very sharp and clear capture. The colours are so well stand out with stunning brownish background. the light works brilliantly.
you have captured it so well.

regards,
Foozi

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1380 W: 56 N: 4759] (16364)
  • [2009-10-19 10:45]

Hello Gert,
What an interesting larva in this beautiful composition.Excellent focus and lovely colours. Nice background too.
Best regards Siggi

Hello Gert,
Perfect composition and POV oh this Coccinellidae, well done!
TFS. regards. Ferran

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2916 W: 34 N: 8651] (32250)
  • [2009-10-19 12:35]

Hi Gert. I was able to take some like this in the spring at first i was not to sure what they were. This is a first class close up showing fine detai land sharp focusing. all with warm colours. It stands out so well against the golden BG. well taken TFS.
Nick..

Ha Gert,

Prachtige plaat
Belichting, kleur, achtergrond, scherpte en compo zijn PERFECT

TFS Thijs

  • Great 
  • cirano Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 656 W: 0 N: 228] (4950)
  • [2009-10-19 15:41]

Slav Gert,
A wonderful close up of this caterpillar of ladybug with excellent sharpness,colors and perfect POV.TFS.
Dûrzan

I've never seen a ladybug like this one, Gert!
Very well done!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2009-10-20 11:49]

A great macro of this baby Ladybird!
Superb colours that are really warm and vibrant.
Sharp with a great level of detail.
A really good composition too.
You've got perfectly parallel to it as well which has made sure the whole subject is pin-sharp.

Well done, Gert!

Joe

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