Philanthus diadema

Critiques [Translate]

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• dew77 (13069)
• [2007-05-15 4:23]

Hello Ram,
Very nice close up.POV,framing,contrast between BG and green leaf,details and framing are wonderful.
TFS..:-)

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• clnaef (6307)
• [2007-05-15 4:27]

Bonjour,
Quoiqu'il en soit l'insecte est spectaculaire...et quelle tête !
Bonne journée.
clnaef

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• koruklu (286)
• [2007-05-15 4:35]

Nice shoot, good details, TFS.

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• JORAPAVI (9921)
• [2007-05-15 4:41]

Hola Ram,
Espectacular la belleza de este insecto, la nitidez y luz son excelentes. Saludos
José Ramón

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• joey (18629)
• [2007-05-15 5:08]

WOW!
Hi Ram,
this is one evil-looking wasp!
Great composition and detail.
Well done,
Joey

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• cicindela (6562)
• [2007-05-15 6:17]
• [+]

Hello Ram!
hehehe! I can see that thanks "bee killer" photos really good discussion appeared :)
But once again I have to say (as I noted in the reply for your previous picture) that I am not a professor, but just a PhD student specializing in terrestrial Adephaga beetles :) And even if I know a little about other insects I am not a Hymenoptera specialist.

Now a few words about picture. I like POV and DOF. Photo is really sharp and have very good details. The only things which would be reduced are the reflections on the wings. But of course it is not easy to do it in the field, especially with shing surfaces of waps's wings :)
Best greetings and thanks for the creative discussion! :)
Regards,
Radomir

PS. Ram, you are right!!! And I was wrong :< This is a Philanthus triangulum - female while my picture presents male individual. I had no idea about so clear sexual dimorphism in this species! :<
Well, what I can say more, I just lerned something new from you my Friend! :>

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• pgmoni (2315)
• [2007-05-15 8:05]
• [+]

Hello,
I'll venture to pipe in with this interesting discussion : a Sphecid wasp, member of the Philanthinae subfamily, no doubt, very probably a Philanthus sp, male -look at those eyes (females have black eyes), and the size of the abdomen.
Not P. triangulum, I believe - well for one thing it does not show the triangles that give its name to the species, although that is not a certain criterion. Perhaps Philanthus diadema, but I do not now if is known from your area...
In any case a very interesting and challenging picture for the entomologist community on TN! Well worth its two points ;>)

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• jeanpaul (13841)
• [2007-05-15 8:56]

Salut Ram
Superbe composition,j'aime bien l'éclairage et les magnifique couleurs de l'insecte et de sa fleur.

Bravo et au revoir...JP

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• captainsgirl (4074)
• [2007-05-15 9:07]

Hello Ram,
Well whatever it is, I'm glad its not sitting here next to me...:o) Great close up shot though, colors, contrasts and focus right on. TFS
Donna:o)




Thanks for your comments on my photo " OAK TIGER BUTTERFLY (28)" :o)

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• Jamesp (13756)
• [2007-05-15 9:45]

Hi Ram

Another lovely close up of this unusual insect. Good focus and colour (as usual). I have been so inspired by all the macro work on TNthat I have ordered a lense this morning.

James

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• garyfudge (1098)
• [2007-05-15 9:51]

Hi Ram,

what a strange looking little fellow.

Very high quality shot with very clear details. The flash has worked well.

Gary

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• Mana (15930)
• [2007-05-15 10:12]

Hi Ram,
Outstanding dorsal view of this species. Perfect shot to study and analyse the species as well as understand its structure. Superb lighting and sharp details. The eyes look awesome as are the two antennas. Very educative note and discussion. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

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• jaycee (14053)
• [2007-05-15 10:23]

Hi Ram,

Wonderful details on this insect. I won't enter into the debate of it's ID. You caught it in a perfect position on the leaf. Shows up well on the green and the bg is wonderful.

Jane

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• spalaxtr (4289)
• [2007-05-15 10:39]

Hi Ram,
Good details and nice BG. Sharpness and composition also well. Thanks

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• demeve (3964)
• [2007-05-15 13:15]

Alo Ram, Impressive capture of this Bee-wolf, what a beauty, fantastic collors and details, the BG is explendid!
The bee's top view is priceless...well done..

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• satish_h (6981)
• [2007-05-15 13:17]

Hi ram,
This is a beautiful picture with very nice composition, with the leaf. The sharpness is fantastic. I think the design of the leaf and the placement of the insect makes, the picture more interesting. Good one.TFS.
BTW, i saw you were featured as todays artist, in TN opening page.

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• Necipp (100)
• [2007-05-15 13:20]

Nice focus and sharpness Ram the detail is nice and the compo is excellent with the leaf tfs rgds Necip.

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• uleko (22536)
• [2007-05-15 13:33]

Hello Ram,
I like your composition here very much and I can't get over those big eyes! Whoever is right about ID, it is certainly a very interesting insect which you've managed to portray really well showing great details and good colours.
Many thanks, Ulla

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• fartash (10089)
• [2007-05-15 14:10]

Hello Ram
Very intersting spiece to shoot,
Great details,BG and composition,
Perfect lighting and DOF,Superb shot.

Good Luck
Fartash

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• marjan (2627)
• [2007-05-15 14:35]

hi Ram, good shot and excleent coloures. Your interesting notice is not importantfor me, becoused we would like to see good photograps with high quality. Like yours. It is Philanthus triangulum or some ather Hymenoptera species is not important.
My congratulation for photo and composition.

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• Argus (22145)
• [2007-05-15 14:42]

Hello Ram,
Whatever the species ID, the massive head clearly shown in this shot would suggest a predatory nature: whether it is bee, fly or grasshopper wolf is open to speculation!
Another nice macro of this species with good sharpness and set in a fine composition.
TFs and best wishes, Ivan

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• goutham_ramesh (8451)
• [2007-05-15 14:53]

Hi Ram,
Excellent picture! This is one of the best macro shot i have seen. Even though i dont advocate the useof flash , i have to admit that you have done well to use it and get the best results.
TFS
Goutham R.

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• ridvan (5130)
• [2007-05-15 15:15]

hi : very close up macro of this insect interesting big head ,beautiful colours with nice pov good composition TFS well done.
regards
ridvan

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• jmp (8400)
• [2007-05-15 16:21]

Hi Ram,
Very nice presentacion of this terrible insect. I like green/background contrast and insect itself.
TFS and best regards, José M.

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• gannu (9772)
• [2007-05-16 7:15]

Sir Your work always produce gem and this is absolutely beauty.
Ganesh

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• marmottelolo (14393)
• [2007-05-16 12:49]

bonjour ram
j'aime vos reglages qui font que l'on ne voit que le sujet et son support,couleurs et netteté irrepprochable.
genial.
laurent

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• loot (8935)
• [2007-05-18 9:50]
• [2] [+]

Hi Ram

2007-05-16
So, after all it seems like I was right all along, but before I voice my opinion about this photo and the whole matter, can you please explain (reveal) to me what is your final view (verdict) on this debate. Do you believe it is or isn't a Bee Wolf?

Update 2007-05-18
Well my friend, due to the debate this posting has created, I have just spent many more hours (in fact the whole night) with my nose in my books and surfing on the Internet (tracing the multitude of avenues and mostly useless side-tracks that this exploration has led me to) in an attempt to positively prove or disprove the identity of this insect. The problem is that there is really very little valuable information available, especially as far as distribution and dimorphism are concerned. I just cannot find anything sufficient that positively address the variance within this species. Also, most photos on the net shows a variation of this insect (with striped abdomen) which does not fit in with the specimen shown in your series of photos, so it is not that easy to convince anyone or to proof the assumed ID.

For a while I thought that I became even more confused than before I started. Of course the possibility always exist that this is no significant regression compared to the average scope of reference I might have as far as it concerns the world of insects. However, slowly but surely the haze and uncertainty, caused by the debate on this photo (and the notes containing the debate from the previous postings that contained some misgivings to the ID of this species) was starting to lift.

It is with fascinated interest that I read your discussions with Radomir where at first it seemed that my original "identification" was indeed incorrect and accepted as such (and that is cool because I'm no specialist in the field of entomology). Mine was only the opinion of a "backyard mechanic" (as far as the world of insects are concerned anyway) who only tried to lend a helping hand. On your first posting of this species, way back on March 22, 2006 I said: "I cannot be 100% sure about the ID, or if you will have the same bee's there in Riyadh, but here in South Africa we have one that looks just like the one in your photo. It is called a Bee wolf - Philanthus triangulum". This was said after a perfect and positive match between the insect on your posting and the photo and description in my book "Field Guide to Insects of South Africa" which is hailed as "The first comprehensive guide to African insects".

Sorry, but the system will not accept my full critique, so I have continued it with an "add on" reply entiled "The rest of the story".

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• peter_stoeckl (9361)
• [2007-05-20 12:49]

Hello Ram,
very attractive, powerful composition, well fitting for presenting this unique and dangerous looking insect.
Thank you! With best regards,
Peter