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Lesser known backyard creatures


Lesser known backyard creatures
Photo Information
Copyright: Dietrich Meyer (meyerd) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 351 W: 63 N: 998] (3075)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-09
Categories: Insects
Camera: Konika Minolta Dynax 7D, Minolta AF 100 Macro
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-04-14 4:44
Viewed: 447
Points: 6
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Lesser known backyard creatures:
This 10 mm long beetle came up from under a rotten log in my yard today. It is the first time that I see this, a Cramp-ball fungus weevil (Anthribidae; Platyrhinus resinosus; Pilzbreitrüssler; la Grande anthribe). What I found out about the beetle: it lives in rotten beechwood where its larvae eat fungal fruit bodies (the name "resinosus" is misleading...). It seems to occur in much of Europe where Beech is growing. When exposed, the animal does not move; its camouflage is perfect. The bright colour on its head is due to a thick carpet of small scales. Amazing! I dedicate the picture to Anne (anel), who, despite being an Art historian, appreciates entomological wonders. As so often with the macro technique, seemingly inconspicuous creatures turn out to be real beauties at closeup (in my opinion, anyway). Look at its amber eyes! As you notice, the mouthparts are of the sucking type despite the big mandibles. I am unable to interprete the wedge-like head and its furry covering. Entomologists out there in TN space might know more.

For the shot I used a macro lens on a tripod and a dual macro flash with light dispersers.
Alex99, anel has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2951 W: 148 N: 4352] (14147)
  • [2007-04-14 11:29]

Hi Dietrich.
Very impressive and perfect composed shot of this cute bug. I like diagonal structure of the picture, wonderful rich colours and excellent sharpness of the bug. DOF is really is not so large but for this POV and subject it is not a key point. Bravo and best wishes.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1094 W: 0 N: 1742] (7540)
  • [2007-04-15 4:02]

Hallo Dieter,
Dein Top Model hat wirklich schoene Augen! Interessant auch zu sehen, dass die Fühler (?) seitlich gelegen sind und nicht auf dem Kopf. Eigenartige Wesen gibt es im Untergrund. Wir sind Dir dankbar, dass Du sie uns präsentierst.
Liebe Grüsse
Anne

This little critter breeds in King Alfreds cake fungus that grow on ash trees with dead wood. Apparently the markings are suppose to make it look like bird droppings and if you disturb this beast it falls to the ground upside down and plays dead and thereby looks just like a bird has passed by and cast away its excess baggage.
A nice shot of this beetle which is reasonably rare in the UK

sIMON

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