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Globe Thistle Weevil - for RADEK #1


Globe Thistle Weevil - for RADEK #1
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3989 W: 153 N: 4799] (12714)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-05
Categories: Insects
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Bayram's dedications, Dedications at Trek Nature part Four, Arthropods from Turkey & Cyprus [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-09 0:25
Viewed: 963
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 82
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Larinus onopordi (Globe Thistle Capitulum Weevil) (A Male) #1

Dear Friends, as you are known my main subject in TN is herpetology (amphibians & reptiles). However, all organisms are showing many interactions between them in nature and thus we have to take into consideration all organisms which may be related with their environments. Therefore, when we make study on our main subject, we have to collect additional information on their biotic (other organisms) and abiotic factors (chemical, topographical structures, temperature, humidity etc.) which exist in the sharing environment to make good scientific evaluations. On this way, I concentrate to other organisms, such as plants, insects, etc. and share these observations with my friends in TN as I made now.

Today I would like to dedicate these captures (see also WS to see the female ) of this interesting Globe Thistle Weevil to one of my beloved and heartfelt friends in TN, Radek (Radomir Jaskula) (cicindela) who is an expert on insects and photographing them to thanks to him for his valuable contributions to TN . I hope you can like this Radek :)! I wish you all the best my friend and thanks once more for your significant contributions!

Since I have got limited information on the identifying the insects, Dr. Levent Gültekin (Ataturk Univ., Erzurum) identified this interesting curculionid for me. Therefore, I indebted to him for his kind helping! I photographed this Globe Thistle Capitulum Weevil on a Echinops capitulum around the Yılankale Castle (Ceyhan) in Adana province during our herpetological trip to SE Anatolia.

Hoping that you like these shots!

Cheers,

Bayram

*****************************

Phytophagous insects represent a major part of world’s biodiversity. Most hypotheses explaining this extraordinary diversity refer to small body size, specialization on many different microhabitats, short generation time, ability to open up new resources and host plant shifting. Use of the rostrum for excavating an oviposition site in a plant structure can be seen clearly as a key point in explaining diversity within Curculionoidea (Order: Coleoptera). The development of a long rostrum in females of Curculionoidea allowed invasion of a new adaptive zone through excavation of oviposition sites in plant parts otherwise not previously available as food sources for immature stages. The evolution of host choice and knowledge of how this might affect the speciation process is important for an understanding of this diversity. Considerable attention has been paid to the formation of host races, generally concentrating on host shifts occurring in sympatry.

Echinops are perennial or biennial spiny herbs with erect ridged stems. Leaves simple to three-pinnatisect, petiolate or sessile. Capitula single-flowered, congested into globose heads subtended by small reflexed bracts. The genus Echinops has sixteen species in all Turkey. Of these, Echinops sphaerocephalus L. is distributed mainly in northeastern Anatolia. This plant is on the weed list in Turkey in common pastures, meadows, environs of airport, highways and railways , maize, cotton fields, field margins and other crops (citrus, okra, grape, soybean, wheat, tomato, sesame, groundnut and bean). Also, E. sphaerocephalus is on the invasive weed list of North America and it is commonly found in Nebraska. Even though informed about the weed characteristics of E. sphaerocephalus in current literature, this plant also has medicinal uses. E. sphaerocephalus contains the non-poisonous alkaloid, echinopsin, which gives sufficiently recovery in chronic radiation sickness. Polysaccharides isolated from E. sphaerocephalus have been used in traditional Chinese medicine as drugs with anti-inflammatory effect and anti-tumor promoting action in the osseous system. Except for its useful peculiarities writen above and though E. sphaerocephalus may become a weed in some areas, it is used as a honey plant: E. sphaerocephalus and E. ritro were planted in Michigan, USA. Values of honey efficiency and attraction for bees were found highest among those recommended for gardens as investigated in ten plants in Poland :).

The weewil genus Larinus comprising ca. 180 species is represented by approximately 140 species in the Palaearctic. Larinus is species-richest in the Mediterranean where about 100 species occur. The main host plant of Larinus onopordi is E. sphaerocephalus in Northeast Anatolia, but rarely prefers E. orientalis to complete their generation in this plant. Overwintered adults associated with host plants from mid May (According to Dr. Gultekin, “we detected that this event in early April”). After feeding several days on leaves, they mate [I will upload an additional capture soon:) ] and laid their eggs in flowerheads using rostrum by excavation of the oviposition hole. In addition, the adults damage the stem below flowerhead opening vertical holes. Adult activity period lasted approximately 44 days. Adult population rise to a peak level in the last week of May. Mating activity duration lasts approximately the adult activity period which is 37 days. After depositing eggs, females close on eggs a pale green secretion then this secretion dried, hardened and turned black. The eggs are laid superficially and it is easy to see the eggs when opening this dry secretion. Eggs occurrence span is 33 days. Hatching and feeding in flowerhead larvae continue to grow untill mid September. Larval period duration is 79 days. From the third week of July, pupae is seen in Flowerhead. In one flowerhead, four larvae can grow, also mature larva made up the pupal cell by using mouth secretion and plant remnant where 4 pupal cells occur. If there are more than one larva or pupa in one flowerhead, this flowerhead abnormally shaped. Pupa duration is 51 days. Upon reaching the new generation adult stage, they wait in the flowerhead 7-10 days and emerge from here for find a suitable hibernating site such as under stones. This weevil shows an aggregation behavior which is possibly seen in 1-3 specimens together hiding under a stone for hibernation. In this way, L. onopordi produced one generation per year.

References:

1. Gültekin, L. (2006). Host plants of Larinus latus (Herbst 1784) in eastern Turkey (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). - Weevil News, No. 40: 7 pp.
2. Gültekin, L. (2008). Seasonal Occurrence and Biology of Globe Thistle Capitulum Weevil Larinus onopordi (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Northeastern Turkey. Mun. Ent. Zool., 1 (2): 191-198.
Jamesp, zulfu, haraprasan, SelenE, bahadir, nkasot, yasemin, Gert-Paassen, xTauruSx, eng55, meyerd, gerbilratz, mariki, matatur, jaycee, rousettus, cicindela, hester, gpeler, maurydv, vanderschelden, CeltickRanger, loot, montivipera, marhowie, goldyrs, jpdenk, Argus, gracious, degani, Miss_Piggy, cypturk has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To cypturk: Hahhaboreocypriensis 1 06-16 13:57
To loot: Thanksboreocypriensis 1 05-10 15:59
To gpeler: Selamlarboreocypriensis 1 05-09 15:16
To cicindela: Thanksboreocypriensis 1 05-09 14:47
To rousettus: :Dboreocypriensis 1 05-09 10:03
To meyerd: Thanks Dietrichboreocypriensis 1 05-09 05:13
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
  • [2008-05-09 0:36]

Hi Bayram

Brilliant macro - great POV with good colour and superb detail. Well observed and captured.


James

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 0 N: 95] (585)
  • [2008-05-09 0:48]

Hocaa bu nee? mükemmelikte son nokta. Bu küçücük böceğe bu kadar detay. Mükemmel çekmişsiniz. Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

Hi Bayram,
A lovely capture of this beautiful weevil. Excellent composition and nice details. A very good dedication for Radek. I am sure he will like it. Very good and informative notes. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2348 W: 61 N: 3801] (12188)
  • [2008-05-09 0:50]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
netlik, keskinlik, fon, cekim acisi, kompozisyon ve detaylar cok guzel. Tebrikler
Selamlar

Offf hocam... hergün yeni bir süpriz yapıyorsunuz. Yine mükemmel bir çekim ve nefis bir sunum. Elinize sağlık. Teşekkürler.
Bahadır.

Bayram hocam güzel bir değişiklik ve harika bir poz olmuş. Mükemmel detaylar. Dişiler erkeklerden daha koyu renkli sanırım. Sunumunuz her zmanki gibi en üst düzeyde. Elinize sağlık.
Saygılar,
Nazım

Selam Bayram oncacik bocugu nasil bu kadar detayli cekebiliyorsun? hayret ediyorum. mukemmel olmus. eline saglik.
Leyla

Hi Bayram,

I am almost your neighbour today.

Nice capture from this insect, tday i have also an insect.
exellent sharpness and details, i think i never seen this specie.

Gert

Selam Bayram Hocam yine, az bilinen bir böcek türünün nefis bir makrosu. Elinize sağlık.,
Deniz

Hola Bayram, buen macro, nitido con color natural y con muy buena luz. Un saludo

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 353 W: 3 N: 376] (1127)
  • [2008-05-09 2:40]
  • [+]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Harika makro bu da canlı gibi.Detaylar,doğal renkler ve kadraj mükemmel olmuş.Tebrikler,ellerinize sağlık!

Hi Bayram,
so you are into macros now! You seem to know your stuff already, you used doused light to render the fat beetle in its three dimensions so well. I am looking forward to more. A very fitting hommage to Radomir you rendered. Thanks for the info and all.
Best regards
Dietrich

Merhaba Hocam,
Harika bir makro! Böcek de çok güzel. Ayrıca bilgiler de harika. Teşekkürler.

Saygılar
Naşit

Hi Bayram, apart from your reptiles, this is the best image you have uploaded. This is perfect...I have learned so much just from the picture.. tfs...regards h

Hello Bayram,

Waouw! Great capture of this weevil. Excellent composition and technically perfect. Great colours too.
Cheers,
Mariki

A good macro study Bayram, you are getting better and better in insect photography my friend.
Cheers,
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1785 W: 8 N: 4627] (14955)
  • [2008-05-09 9:09]

Hi Bayram,

I came to your picture from Gert's - your are both teaching me so much! This shot is so good that if I were to see one I would actually know what it was. Excellent details of the face, body, legs and antennae. Your posts continue to fascinate me.

Jane

biz bir şey demeyelim diye, baştan yapmışsın açıklamayı:) daldan dala geçmek biyoçeşitliğin tanınması açısından iyidir.
eline sağlık harika detaylar ve keskinlikle bu güzel hortumlu kınkanatlıyı güzel görüntülemişsin. iyi akşamlar, selamlar.

Dear Bayram!
Once again I feel honoured by you! Thank you very much my Friend for this lovely picture and dedication!
Curculionid beetles are very difficult to photograph (even if they are not too mobile ;> they still are convex and... small!). So first of all - bravo for really great shot! :)
By the way, if you remember I am an administrator of the PES gallery (you can find a link to this web site in my intro). I just would like to ask you if you agree to include your picture in the gallery in section Coleoptera (the page is non-commercial and non-profit, but has educational character and many students/professionalists visit in). Of course your name as the Author will be kept! :>
Hope to hear from you soon :)
Once again many thanks for dedication! :)
Have a nice weekend!
Radek

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1208 W: 68 N: 2500] (8251)
  • [2008-05-09 11:04]

Hello Bayram,
Excellent macro of this Weevil. Perfect POV and composition. The sharpness and details are fantastic. Very beautiful natural colours.
Regards,
Peter

Hi Bayram, superb macro with fantastic details, great DOF and splendid sharpness, very well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1471 W: 18 N: 2981] (10944)
  • [2008-05-09 13:21]

Hi Bayram

Your insect shots are as good as you snakes and lizards shots. This have amazing sharp details, a great POV and a beautiful composition. Wonderful work. It is a great looking insect

TFS

Karan

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1691 W: 242 N: 5580] (19801)
  • [2008-05-09 13:27]

Fantastic macro of this funny-looking Weevil :-)
Sooooo detailed with excellent clarity.
Brilliant POV and composition.
Superb light.
A perfect dedication to our friend Radomir.
Well done Geckoman!!

Joe

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Tek kelimeyle mükemmel bir makro çalışma. Ellerinize sağlık. İyi bir hafta sonu geçirmeniz dileğiyle.
Kıbrıs'tan Selamlar
Gamze:)

  • Great 
  • batu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1010 W: 285 N: 3337] (11030)
  • [2008-05-09 14:41]

Merhaba Bayram,
a great picture in all respects.
I'll include in my favourites.
Best wishes, Peter

Splendida macro, ottimi POV e composizione, straordinaria nitidezza con una perfetta leggibilità di ogni piccolo dettaglio, magnifici i colori. molto interessante anche in WS. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Hello Bayram,
Good photography especially in terms of point of view and depth of field. Very well composed.
Good dedication as well...
As always a great contribution; an excellent in depth note.
Congrats
Annick

hello Bayram

WOW ! you did a great macro shot of thus insect,
with a very fine POV and DOF, superb sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5726 W: 605 N: 3416] (9137)
  • [2008-05-09 22:04]
  • [3] [+]

Hi Bayram

It is nice to see your versatility in photography and diversified interest in nature. Not only can you shoot good close-ups of reptilian or amphibian subjects, but also can you shoot great macros of our insect friends. Btw, the WS is just as great thus giving us the full scope of this specific species and an extensive note to educate us on the insect and the flower. Great stuff.

This is as crisp a macro as it can come. Amazing details show us each little intricate feature of the weevil. It is a pity we cannot see the exif data or the camera settings, but I bet this had to be some impressive aperture setting to have rendered such remarkable DOF at this close proximity to the subject. Stunning colour definition gave the shot ample visual stimulus and the POV & composition is great.

The dedication is well directed as Radomir has not only contributed via his postings, but he has provided assistance to many members concerning identification of unknown captures.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

PS. Keep your eyes peeled as I am posting something within the next day or so which you hopefully might find interesting.

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2041 W: 6 N: 2021] (13267)
  • [2008-05-10 3:45]

Hola Bayram,
perfecta macro, textura y color...
buen pov y detalles,
saludos

Hi Bayram,
The POV is everything, this one is excellent.
Very good detail, colors, and exposure.
Nice overall composition with the Echinops adding greatly :)
Howard

Excellent shot Bro.Sorry gotta run, short of time.
Goldy

Hello Bayram,

An exceptionally good image, everything is working well. Very sharp, excellent composition, amazing detail. Good work my friend!

John

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2465 W: 168 N: 7448] (23526)
  • [2008-05-10 7:29]

Hello Bayram,
Excellent macro of this beautiful Globe Thistle Weevil from a fine low POV. Impressive sharp details and natural colours. Fascinating insects but many do a lot of damage. A very fine composition!
Many thanks and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2008-05-10 21:10]

Hi Bayram,
Wonderful macro shot of this Weevil, perfectly camouflaged and poised. Very impressive sharpness and colours with superb lighting. Excellent POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2606 W: 133 N: 7480] (23317)
  • [2008-05-11 4:24]

Hello Bayram,
I missed this superb macro of a Globe Thistle Weevil. Excellent sharpness throughout, both the beetle and the flower and thye composition with the OOF BG is great.
TFS this marvellou image,
Best wishes my friend,
Ivan

Merhaba Bayram,
Selam!!
many thanks for this awesome image of insect!
the image is so sharp with wonderful colour and so much details in the shot
very well done and a nice dedication
greeting
Tony

Netlik ve detaylar gerçekten harika. Sağdaki yaprak olmasaymış daha iyi olurmuş ama bu haliyle bile bir National Geographic fotosu olur. Tebrikler

hi Bayram,
strange and interesting little animal, this picture is very bright and has beautiful warm colours, this picture is beautiful
kind regards
franco

Artik ne yazacagimi sasiriyorum... fotograflarin cok ilginc ve verdigin bilgiler cok egitici....Merak ediyorum yorulmuyormusun.... isini cok sevdigini ve basarili oldugunu biliyorum fakat cok yorucu eminim....Kolay gelsin selamlar, Merih

Hallo Bayram
This is a great looking and colourful insect, with real huge and long legs. Lovely colours, with pretty good sharpness. A very interesting and fascinating looking weevil. Good close-up, of this gorgeous insect. The pose is stunning and the insect seems to be full of life. I like the presentation as a whole. Your notes is very informative and attention grabbing. Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards.
Anna

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