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Assassin Bug


Assassin Bug
Photo Information
Copyright: Howard Cheek (marhowie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5754 W: 1225 N: 10586] (34593)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-15
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Sigma 150mm F2.8 APO Macro DG HSM, Digital ISO 500
Exposure: f/18.0, 1/100 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-07-11 18:51
Viewed: 724
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 68
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
It's been a long time since I posted one of these bugs..I find their way of doing things quite interesting actually :)

Nearly 3000 species of assassin bugs exist and scientists feel that many more will be discovered. These insects can be commonly found throughout most of the world. They vary in size from a few millimeters to as much as 3 or 4 centimeters. They come in many colors and shapes and most species have two pairs of wings. However, ALL assassin bugs have a powerful, curved rostrum, or beak, that they use to pierce and suck out the tissues of their prey.

Assassin bugs feed by external digestion, which means that they push their beak into their victims body and inject a very toxic, or poisonous, liquid that affects the nerves and liquifies the muscles and tissues of their prey. Most other insects that eat like this have two tubes in their beak; one for injecting the fluid and one for sucking in their food. But assassin bugs have only one large tube that does both jobs. This larger tube allows them to inject a larger amount of the toxic digestive fluid so that prey many times their size can be quickly overcome. Once the insides of the prey are turned into a liquid, the assassin bug uses its rostrum to suck out the liquified tissues..

Assassin bugs get their name because of the speed that they have to grab and poison their prey. They are carnivorous, or meat eaters, and use their powerful, jack-knife forelegs to grab their prey. They have sticky pads on these front legs, made up of thousands of tiny hairs, that stick to their victims and keep them from getting away. Some assassin bugs actively hunt their prey, while others patiently wait until their prey comes close enough to grab.

The saliva of the assassin bug starts to work almost immediately. Cockroaches have been seen to die in only 3 or 4 seconds, and caterpillars more than 400 times their weight can die in only 10 seconds. A feast this size can last for days or even weeks.

Not all assasin bugs feed on insects and other invertebrates. Some tropical species attack mammals, birds, and reptiles and actually suck their blood.

LIFE CYCLE:
Most assasin bugs lay their eggs in the autumn in cracks and crevices that contain lots of leaves. The eggs hatch in the following spring and the nymphs look very much like the adults, except thry are smaller. Assassin bugs go through incomplete metamorphosis (egg-nymph-adult). After hatching from the egg, the nymph passes through five instars (growth stages). The nymph molts at the end of each instar, becoming an adult after the final molt. Adults often are the stage that live through the winter, and they begin a new generation in the spring.

This insect preys on other insects and benefits people because they help reduce populations of certain pest species. But assassin bugs themself are preyed on by many enemies, especially birds and reptiles. Some species have developed a unique defense where they use their beak to squirt their venom at their attacker as far as a foot away. Their saliva can cause severe irritation of the eyes and nose and even temporary blindness in humans.

Assassin bugs probably have the most painful bites caused by insects. Some South American species of assassin bugs also transmit a parasite to man that causes Chagas disease.

The flower is a Gerbera Daisy, & I used a 36mm Ext ring.

Thanx for lookin' & have a great weekend!
saguzar, ramthakur, goldyrs, Mariol, Art_R, tuslaw, gerbilratz, siggi, liziafa, maurydv, Janice, boreocypriensis, zulfu, haraprasan, Juyona, Silvio2006, jaycee, uleko, fartash, NinaM, CeltickRanger, Amadeo, Miss_Piggy, JORAPAVI, SelenE, jpdenk, Luc, jusninasirun has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To NinaM: My eyes..marhowie 1 07-13 04:05
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Critiques [Translate]

Fantastic capture of this long-legged Assassin Bug, Howard.
A classic colorful image with extraordinary details on the subject.
Thanks and take care.
Ram

The rich colours in this shot are as breath-taking as the subject itself, Howard!
This is amongst the most beautiful shots I've ever seen!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • Mariol Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 164 W: 10 N: 1015] (4139)
  • [2008-07-11 19:55]

Hi Howard,
Very nice colors you have in this picture. You choose the perfect flower as a background for this interesting insect. Your technique of managing the lighting and depth of field is flawless. I have the same lens but I seldom use it – macro shots have many secrets for me.
Regards, Mario

  • Great 
  • Art_R Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 199 W: 16 N: 478] (1975)
  • [2008-07-11 20:32]

Hi Howard , great photo , I like the bright color , and point of view , the details and composition are also very good , as well interesting notes. thanks for sharing
Regards
Art

  • Great 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 663 W: 98 N: 1260] (4181)
  • [2008-07-11 21:51]

The exposure and details on the bug are magnificant! The bug has a translucent look well captured. Composition is excellent. The bug nestled into the vivid colors of the flower makes a wonderful contrast.

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 240 W: 8 N: 607] (1929)
  • [2008-07-11 22:00]

Howard,
Great DOF on this shot, incredibly sharp and detailed in every aspect. Very rich colours and I love your crop! Lets you get right down to his level. Outstanding Image!! Great notes, very informative!
Ron

Hi Howard, just as I think you have gone as far as you can, you put another image to another level, simply perfection.... It makes me want to go out and try harder for that perfect shot, inspirational and artistic in one go.....best regards, h

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 289 W: 3 N: 788] (2822)
  • [2008-07-12 0:43]

Good macro Howard, great capture with nice colors and good exposure. Well done ! Thanks.
Regards Siggi

Hi Howard,
Amazing close up!
Excellent detail and great composition.
Very well done.
TFS Malgosia

Hello Howard,

I loved reading your notes.
It was a bit like reading a thriller!
Thank goodness these bugs aren't much bigger!

Super, detailed shot, showing the features of this insect very clearly.
The flower makes a colourful b/g.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

Meravigliosa macro, eccellenti POV e DOF, splendida composizione con un ottimo momento di cattura per mostrare la bellezza sia dell'insetto che del fiore, straordinaria definzione dei dettagli, fantastici i colori dalle forti e vivide tonalità. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3452 W: 144 N: 5902] (17486)
  • [2008-07-12 2:06]

Very interesting notes Howard - these bugs aren't nice to be around!!

The flower is beautiful, and the bug has a pretty place to sit and wait for his prey to come by. Brilliant capture.

TFS
Janice

Hi Howard, superb macro and perfectly prepared notes. Great!.. TFS... Have a nice weekend!
Cheers,
Bayram

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 0 N: 95] (585)
  • [2008-07-12 4:32]

Hello Howard, splendid macro capture of this Assassin Bug with great details. TFS.
Kind regards,

Mehmet

Hi Howard,
A lovely capture of this assassin bug over the Gerbera flower. Very well composed with very good DOF and POV. Superb sharp details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2042 W: 6 N: 2025] (13277)
  • [2008-07-12 6:13]

Hola Howard,
preciosa macro,
buenos detalles y senscional foco y pov,
saludos

Hi Howard, great capture of splendid assassin bug on wonderful flower with fantastic colors, amazing details, perfect focus and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1788 W: 8 N: 4639] (15001)
  • [2008-07-12 10:15]

Hi Howard,

When I saw the colorful thumbprint I thought it was a post from one of our friends from India. Wonderful to show the world that we have gorgeous colors too. The Assassin Bug looks so comfortable on this pretty flower. I haven't seen one up-close before and he is fascinating to look at. Face, body, legs and antennae are all superb with their colors and fine details. Great shot!

Jane

Hello HOward
Very nice shot of this Assasin Bug,
Great focusing,DOF and BG.Welldone my friend.

Regards
Fartash

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1696 W: 242 N: 5596] (19883)
  • [2008-07-12 13:46]

Wow! What stunning colours!
Very good and original macro of this Assassin Bug!
Excellent clarity and sharpness.
Superb DOF.
Great composition.

Well done, Howard!

Joe

Hi Howard...Lovely composition and interesting picture also notes...I am learn a lot....Picture is excellent.....Fantastic shot...Congratulation...Kind regards. Leyla

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 566 W: 0 N: 1388] (4593)
  • [2008-07-12 14:27]
  • [+]

My eyes see more with your pictures than they see in "normal" life... and it's always great. Those colours shout outloud LIFE and the sun is shining strongly... plus that assassin bug that should be called vampire, ouh, a real nightmare for its prey! I wouldn't want to melt and be digested before being eaten, in fact ;-) Also, I would need some of them to come and help out the sorbier on our yard, they are being eaten fast by some caterpillars, it's incredible! I'll post a picture of those tiny worms. Meanwhile, thank you for this stunning picture once again, I am digesting each and every one of your pictures but in my brains. Bye bye Howard!

Francine

hello Howard

what a superb shot in 3-D effect, very fine POV, DOF
and framing, great sharpnes and details, i love the warm
and vivid colour tones of the image, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2468 W: 168 N: 7464] (23588)
  • [2008-07-13 2:06]

Hello Howard,
Incredible macro of this Assassin Bug showing very sharp details and colours. I expect it is waiting on the pretty flower for its victim, rather like a Spider! Very interesting to read your note too. There is sooo much to discover about the insect world!
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Amadeo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 198 W: 0 N: 663] (2949)
  • [2008-07-13 11:16]

Hola Howard, explosión de color y excelente definición en este magnifico macro. Un saludo

Hallo Howard
A splendid display of perfect photography. Details are supersharp and very clear. The very vivid and bright colours of the flower just adds speciality to this already great image. I find the pollen dust of the flower the cherry on the cake. The whole image is greatly presented. Kind regards.
Anna

Hola Howard,
Precioso macro con gran nitidez, y excelente punto de vista que nos muestra mucho detalle, bellos colores y magnífica iluminación, TFS. Saludos
José Ramón

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2008-07-15 10:24]

Hi Howard,
Wonderful shot of this great looking Assasin Bug on that brightly coloured flower. Immaculate sharpness, lovely colours and fine details. Great use of flash lighting gives the image an interesting glow. Excellent DOF, POV and very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-07-15 22:12]

Hello Howard

Just marking the post for now

Rob

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2351 W: 61 N: 3811] (12226)
  • [2008-07-17 11:10]

Hi Howard,
I missed this one. Colors are great! Focus, sharpness, POV, composition, lighting and details are very good. TFS
All the best,
Selen

  • Great 
  • jpdenk Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 265 W: 1 N: 400] (1084)
  • [2008-07-19 18:32]

Hello Howard,

An insanely good macro, everything works for me, especially the superb detail and sharpness, brilliant color of the flower contrasts nicely with the more subtle colors of the insect.

Wonderful!

John

You applied fill in flash very well.
Very colourful. Accurate DOF. Very good compo.
Definitely yours.:-)
TFS Howard.

Hi Howard,
The photo is very good, as you have to us customary to all, impeccable as far as depth, light, colors and clearness. The information is excellent. It is certain insofar as there are species that are vectors of the Chagas (Tripanosoma cruzi), these bugs are hematófagas and they have the bad custom to defecate in the wound, soon the affected start to scrape and scatters the microbes to the sanguineous torrent, thus happens the infection. Luckily in my zone the cases are very little, but they affect more northern regions of my country. Those bugs are known here commonly as vinchucas.
Greetings
Hernán

Hello Howard. This is top class macro. Pristine sharp focus on the beautiful stamens. The exposure is very well metered and the framing is perfect. I like it and well done. Jusni

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