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Polizon in a pondskater


Polizon in a pondskater
Photo Information
Copyright: Felipe Mateo and Cristina (extramundi) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1875 W: 339 N: 4174] (12818)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-11-21
Categories: Insects
Camera: Sony DSC-F717, Sony VCL-M3358 Close
Exposure: f/8, 1/1000 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Beetles and Bugs of the world [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-01-31 16:57
Viewed: 1978
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Animalia > Arthropoda > Insecta > Gerridae > Gerris
Gerris lacustris
This is not my best shot of this bug, but I like it because is the only one I captured something that was not expected. Different worlds in different scales, the insects also have their own "insects" . If you look carefully to the leg of this one you will find a tiny "ghost". A parasit? A polizon? Only casual?.... who knows.
I dont remember seen this ones here in TN although they are very widely distributed over the world. I wish to post a better shot of this miniature predator... without polizon.

Description
The common pond skater is a very widespread bug. It is brownish-black in colour, with a narrow body. The forelegs are short and used for grasping and holding prey. The middle and hind legs are long and slender; the hind pair are used as 'rudders', while the middle pair of legs are used to propel the bug along the surface of the water with either a rowing or a jumping motion. All true bugs have sucking mouthparts, known as a rostrum or 'beak'; this pond skater has a short, powerful rostrum. Both winged and wingless forms occur; in winged pond skaters the wings are held folded flat against the body.
Habitat
Inhabits a wide range of water bodies, including garden ponds, ditches, streams and rivers.
Biology
Adults emerge after over wintering towards the end of April or in early May, and females lay eggs in May. The eggs take around 12-14 days to develop, but the time taken until hatching is dependent on the temperature. Bugs undergo a type of development known as incomplete metamorphosis in which the larvae or 'nymphs' progress through a series of moults. The stages between moults are known as 'instars'; in this species there are 5 instars, each one progressively longer than the last. It takes between 24 and 30 days for pond skater larvae to develop into adults, with winged forms taking longer to reach maturity.

Hope you like!

F8 - 1/1000 - Manual - Flash
PP: crop, levels, USM, frame, resize.
Signal-Womb, PDP, Callie, sandpiper2, Luc, red45 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Very nice presentation and what a great macro shot. Superb composition and accurate DOF. Well done Felipe.

You don't see them here, Felipe because its so hard to get a great shot like this. I have tried a couple of times to get these critters. I still have a shot like this high on my wishlist. Is a fascinating capture and the stow-away on the leg adds a nice touch. Great shot!

I don't like the frame choise, but great shot very light. Very well done.
TFS.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2005-02-01 4:48]

I think it's a good photo of a pondskater, thery are not east to get right as they are often drifting very slowly. I don't know the nature of the passneger but if he isn't careful he might be a snack. Good work Felipe.

What an acrobat! Great moment.
And this little... very brave!
Good job!

  • Great 
  • willie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1023 W: 61 N: 648] (2083)
  • [2005-02-01 13:48]

Great macro Felipe. This is really very good again from you and the parasite a big bonus. Well done

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1132 W: 105 N: 2609] (7531)
  • [2005-02-01 14:27]

Hi Felipe
No nits, this is great, I know how hard to get them , or their look similar cousinns, are to shoot, no luck yet, and so fast, so 10/10 for getting him, and the passenger, to sit stil. TFS

A good macro and interesting to see the hitch-hicker. A good way to get around the pond for free. I posted a pond skater months ago (seems like years), but this one is significantly better than my effort. You did well to get close enough to take a sharp image, the parasite is a bonus. Good note as always.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2005-02-02 23:49]

Great picture and note, Felipe.
The public transport is not an invention of the man. We see here a remarkable not polluting representation.
Thanks a lot.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-02-03 4:59]

I like this insect - it is so fragile and agile. I could sit near the pond and watching it for hours. It calm me dawn :-)
Very good capture, I like colours, details and black BG.

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