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Portrait of an assassin...
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Hello,
Today I present you an insect called "Spined assassin bug" Sinea diadema (family Hemiptera). And believe me, its name is well justified! Look at the beak which is just like a jack-knife and used to stab its preys...
You have to manipulate this insect carefully in order to avoid being bite painfully...
We found this insect in fields where the goldenrods plants reside...
EXIF: ISO100; 1/250s; F8.0; sans flash
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Physical Description
Sinea diadema has a long, narrow head that supports a short beak, formed by three segments. Also found on the head are slender antennae, each composed of four segments. The large size of the head is to support the beak that is so necessary for prey capture and consumption. Unlike other assassin bugs that are often bicolored, Sinea diadema is dark brown or a dull red. The eyes are reddish brown. The front legs are slightly swollen and covered with spines. The abdominal area is expanded, flat, and displays a pale spot on the rear margin of every segment. Because the middle of the abdomen is so wide, the wings cannot completely cover the entire body. (Lyon, 2002)
Reproduction
Although both vision and antennal olfaction are important to various life processes, no further information was available for specific mating systems of Sinea diadema.
The female Sinea diadema deposits large amounts of brown, cylindrical eggs in an upright position. These eggs are usually located on a leaf or within the soil, and are covered with a reddish brown secretion. (Arnett, 1993)
After laying the eggs, the female and male have no further parental contact with the young.
Behavior
Antennal olfaction plays a large role in the finding of a habitat. Not only is this sensory input important for the habitat location, it is also important for locating areas of prey and individual prey organisms. Studies have shown that in some cases, olfaction is more important than vision for locating habitats. (Freund and Olmstead, 2000a; Freund and Olmstead, 2000b)
Communication and Perception
Antennal olfactions and vision are key to the lifestyle of Sinea diadema. The ability to sense vibrations is also important, especially when it comes to enemy avoidance. However, studies have shown that vision is the most important sense for avoiding enemies. (Freund and Olmstead, 2000a; Freund and Olmstead, 2000b; Taylor and Schmidt, 1996)
Food Habits
Sinea diadema preys on organism such as aphids, caterpillar eggs, leafhoppers, lady bugs, and asparagus beetle eggs and larvae. The sharp beak mouthpart on the head is used to stab into the prey, allowing Sinea diadema to pierce through the prey's outer covering and then to suck out the body fluids. (Hort Source, 2003; Texas Cooperative Extension, 1999) |
clnaef, dew77, saeedabbasi, Alex99, goutham_ramesh, fiyo, claudine, Silvio2006, mikou, yllen has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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- clnaef
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 763 W: 58 N: 631]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(6490) - [2007-01-16 10:19]
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Bonjour,
Joli camouflage.
Bonne journée.
clnaef
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- dew77
(13069)
- [2007-01-16 11:30]
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Hello Michel,
Excellent close up.Colors,sharpness,framing and composition are wonderful.
TFS..:-)
Dear Michel ,
great focus and nice sharpness.
well composition and nice color.
thanks for sharing my good friend,
Saeed
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- Alex99
(14629)
- [2007-01-17 2:42]
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Hi Michel.
Bravo, my friend. Excellent macro, interesting scene and perfectly composed shot. Colors, sharpness, blurriness of BG are outstanding. My compliments and TFS.
Sorry, I have no time. I have just returned from short business trip and hasten for work.
Alexei.
Hi,
A beautiful picture of an insect that's new to me and a very useful note too, The sharpness , colors and the exposure is perfect. The POV which includes the flower , which in turn depicts its habitat is wonderful
TFS
Goutham
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- fiyo
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 924 W: 5 N: 2259]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(8370) - [2007-01-17 4:37]
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Hello Michel,
Great color & composition with excellent details within your DOF. TFS
Allo Michel,
Un vrai tueur en effet! Je me demande quel est le nom en français de cette bestiole qui semble maitriser l'art du camouflage. Je n'ai jamais vue cette espèce avant, drôle de créature! J'aime bien cette prise de vue et composition avec ce bel éclairage et ces détails précis. Le BG est superbe aussi. Honnêtement, j'aime moins la ligne bleue dans le cadre mais bon, c'est un détail :) Je n’en reviens pas que l’on ait cet insecte au Québec. Merci!
Claudine
Hi Michel, very ugy insect but wonderful macro, well composed, great light and colors, very well done, ciao Silvio
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- yllen
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 248 W: 0 N: 16]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-s.gif)
(623) - [2007-01-17 21:22]
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Hola Michel:
Interesante captura, al igual que la nota muy detallada. Es un "bicharraco" muy feo, pero que sabe camouflarse muy bien. Colores agradables y gran nitidez. Buen foco e iluminaciòn de esta compo.
Saludos.
Nelly
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- mikou
(5265)
- [2007-01-18 5:44]
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Hi Michel.
Very nice close-up of this very interesting insect with useful informative note for me.
Light in your picture is beautiful and giving amazing colours.Very nice composition and angle look with sharp details.Also very good DOF and blurry background.
Well done,TFS.
Greetings Milos.
