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Scorpionfly


Scorpionfly
Photo Information
Copyright: Adrian Szatewicz (aes_thor) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 139 W: 23 N: 342] (1448)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-08
Categories: Insects
Camera: FujiFilm FinePix S9600, Fujinon Zoom Lens 28-300 mm Eq., Raynox DCR-250
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/60 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-11 6:22
Viewed: 330
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hello!


Thanks to Ivan (Argus) I know it is species called scorpionfly (Panorpa sp) not one of Rhyacophilidae family.
In Polish it is called Wojsiłka pospolita
(Panorpa communis)

The Mecoptera (scorpionflies) are a curious group of terrestrial insects that usually live in moist sylvan habitats. Both larvae and adults are omnivorous. Mostly, they feed upon decaying vegetation and dead (or dying) insects. Larvae generally remain in the soil; they have chewing mouthparts and resemble caterpillars (Lepidoptera) or white grubs (Coleoptera). Most adults have an elongated head with slender, chewing mouthparts near the tip of a stout beak. Front and hind wings are similar in shape (occasionally reduced in size or absent), and often mottled with patches of color. The common name of this order (scorpionfly) refers to the distinctive appearance of male genitalia in members of the family Panorpidae: the terminal segments are enlarged and held recurved over the abdomen like the tail of a scorpion. Despite its appearance, the scorpionfly's tail is quite harmless.

Hanging scorpionflies, family Bittacidae, are predators of small flying insects. Their legs, especially the tarsi, are unusually long and slender. At the tip of each leg there is a single opposable claw. The adults hang from vegetation with their front legs and catch small flying insects with their middle and hind legs. These scorpionflies, which bear a striking resemblance to crane flies (Diptera: Tipulidae), may have developed from the same ancestral lineage that also give rise to the caddisflies (order Trichoptera) and the true flies (order Diptera). Hanging flies are the only predatory insects that catch prey with their back legs.

Species of Panorpa are orange-bodied with an elongate beak, and their wings are mottled with dark brown markings. Males have a bulbous terminal genital capsule. Both soil-inhabiting larvae and adults feed upon dead insects. I was perplexed when I first ran across this specimen. I'd never seen anything like it before. At first, I thought it a fly, but then noticed two sets of wings (true flies only have one set).


Picture taken in my garden.
Original picture in RAF format, I had to remove noise, correct colours and contrast, add some brightness and sharpness- picture was taken in deep shadow so it was very dark.

I hope You like this,
thanks for any species information and comments
Cheers!
ramthakur, MMM, Amadeo, LordPotty, Alex99, cloud, haraprasan has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Argus: You're rightaes_thor 1 06-11 08:49
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Critiques [Translate]

This is a really exotic species of flies, Adrian.
The POV shows the underside of the insect very well.
Maybe the focus on the entire insect is not even, but that is a minor nit.
TFS and regards.
Ram

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2492 W: 132 N: 7090] (22145)
  • [2008-06-11 7:01]
  • [+]

Hello Adrian,
A fine macro of a female Scorpionfly (not caddisfly) with fine sharpness, considering the limited light. Nice POV and composition too.
TFS this beauty,
Ivan

Hello Adrian,
Great photo with agood sharp focus on the head. Beautiful colours and BG. Good composition and POV.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 737 W: 0 N: 1497] (6754)
  • [2008-06-11 7:58]

Hi Adrian
Nice closed up image.Good POV and well composed image.I also like that nice OOF BG.
TFS Michel

Hola Adrian, buen macro, buena luz y color en esta buena aproximación. Un saludo

Hello Adrian,
Well,this is quite unlike any Caddis Fly I have ever seen.
Your POV and composition is good,but I think I would have taken the shot from a little further back,to include the antennae,and it might have been just a little sharper too.
An interesting subject though.
TFS
Steve

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2991 W: 148 N: 4435] (14369)
  • [2008-06-11 9:38]

Hi Adrian.
Perfectly composed close-up picture of a nice specimen of Scorpionfly. I have never met it before. Simply scene (only insect on inclined stem) is looked perfectly. Smooth BG is fine too. Details and colours are very good. DOF is shallow a bit but it is effect of macro converter. And this is not a point. Well done and thanks.
Alexei.

Wow, another one of those scary bugs :-)
Well composed close-up. I wish hind parts were in focus too. TFS
Ali

  • Great 
  • cloud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 103 W: 57 N: 182] (1717)
  • [2008-06-11 13:12]

Witaj,
Sliczny okaz i dobre makro. Podoba mi sie POV i dobre BG.
Pozdrawiam, Pawel

Hi Adrian,
A lovely capture of this beautiful scorpion fly. Excellent composition and sharp details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1676 W: 24 N: 4885] (15930)
  • [2008-06-12 10:56]

Hi Adrian,
Wonderful profile shot of this Scorpionfly with very neat image with fine colours. Nice pose captured and your well chosen POV shows the details perfectly. Excellent POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

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