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May Bug


May Bug
Photo Information
Copyright: Pawel Chmur (cloud) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 117 W: 63 N: 255] (2051)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-13
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon Rebel EOS 300D, Canon 70-200 f 2.8 L USM, Hoya HMC Super UV(0)
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Alex99 favorite shots [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-16 7:30
Viewed: 370
Points: 8
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The cockchafer (or may bug, as it is colloquially called, or sometimes billy witch or spang beetle, particularly in East Anglia) is a European beetle of the genus Melolontha, in the family Scarabaeidae. Once abundant throughout Europe and a major pest in the periodical years of "mass flight", it has been decimated in the middle of the 20th century through extensive use of pesticides and has even been locally exterminated in many regions. However, since a change in pest control beginning in the 1980s, its numbers have started to grow again. As they don't tolorate pollution well, their presence is usually a marker of low pollution levels.Adults appear at the end of April or in May and live only for about five to seven weeks. After about two weeks, the female begins laying eggs, which she buries about 10 to 20 cm deep in the earth. She may do this several times until she has laid between 60 and 80 eggs. The common cockchafer lays its eggs in fields, whereas the Forest Cockchafer stays in the vicinity of the trees. The preferred food for adults is oak leaves, but they will also feed on conifer needles.

The larvae, known as "white grubs" or "chafer grubs", hatch after some four to six weeks. They feed on plant roots, for instance potato roots. The grubs develop in the earth for some three to four years, in colder climates even five years, and grow continually to a size of about 4–5 cm, before they pupate in early autumn and develop into a cockchafer in some six weeks.

The cockchafer overwinters in the earth at depths between 20 and 100 cm. They work their way to the surface only in spring.

Because of their long development time as larvae, cockchafers appear in a cycle of every three or four years; the years vary from region to region. There is a larger cycle of some 30 years superimposed, in which they occur (or rather, used to occur) in unusually high numbers.
from Wikipedia
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2129 W: 9 N: 5957] (22516)
  • [2008-05-16 7:38]

Hi Pawel. This is an excellent close up of this May Bug. The focusing is first class with fine detail. rich colours. I like the wat it stands out from the BG. well done TFS good notes too.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • taba Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 468 W: 126 N: 281] (1562)
  • [2008-05-16 9:40]

Hi Pawel
great capture and fantastic DOF and colors.
very good use of the light (flash?) and the BG.
fine details.

Taba

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3160 W: 148 N: 4787] (15449)
  • [2008-05-16 10:54]

Hi Pawel.
Fantastic shot. I like the subject, impressive at high range sunlight, vibrant colours and terrific sharpness. You managed to represent this fine insect by the best way. Composition of the shot is spot on as well as the whole picture. Bravo, well done.
Alexei.

Hi Pawel,

Great close-up capture of this May Bug. Good composition, nice colours and sharp details. Great work!

TFS

Pekka

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