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Halloween bug


Halloween bug
Photo Information
Copyright: Alli Hemingway (annagrace) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 18 N: 851] (2996)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-28
Categories: Insects
Camera: Olympus C4000Z
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-08-29 19:13
Viewed: 1732
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 25
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Much thanks to Mike Fisher (fisher) for the ID of this strange bug. The Ailanthus webworm, Atteva punctella, is an ermine moth now found commonly in the United States.

There is some uncertainty about the origin of the Ailanthus webworm, but it is thought to be native to South Florida and the American tropics, with the original larval host plant, the Paradise Tree (Simarouba glauca). Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), a tree originally from China, has been widely introduced and Atteva punctella has jumped to this new host plant (giving it its common name, Ailanthus webworm). The moth does not survive cold winters, but migrates north each year so it is commonly seen in summer throughout the continental US, and occasionally eastern Canada.

Larvae produce nests on the host plant by pulling two to three leaflets around a network of loose webbing. Then they consume the leaflets. The caterpillars have a wide, light greenish-brown stripe down their backs and several thin, alternating white and olive-green stripes along their sides. The adult moth visits flowers and is a pollinator.

Ailanthus is considered an invasive species by some, although it is still sold by nurseries as yard plant, mainly because it will grow in polluted or otherwise difficult places. Atteva punctella can be a minor pest in nurseries, although it rarely does serious damage. (wikepedia.org)

I took this photo yesterday on my screen door. I reached about 2 feet above my head and used macro mode. I'm still horrible at macro but don't have the patience to do 1000 photos like Pieter (sAner) did. This was one of about five.
Luc, nofer, Janice, marhowie, dew77, jpinkham has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Fisher: Hey Mike!annagrace 3 09-01 21:57
To livios: Hi Livio!annagrace 1 08-29 23:10
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2005-08-29 22:10]
  • [+]

Alli, allow me a piece of advice: do have the patience to take as many shots as possible. After all, it's one of the greatest advantages of digital photography. Be sure that by having patience you'll have great shots.

As for the photo itself, it's a pity the but isn't in a different environment. But that's nature, and we have to shoot the creatures where they are.

Despite the little overexposure, I like the colors.

  • Great 
  • sway Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 303 W: 85 N: 308] (1224)
  • [2005-08-30 0:14]

Hi Alli,
Nice shot. Sorry can't help with the ID. Butit is beautiful.
Nice colours and your focus is pretty good considering the conditions.
:)

  • Great 
  • nofer Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1190 W: 367 N: 803] (2230)
  • [2005-08-30 0:26]
  • [2]

Inseto mais estranho....!!!! He... He...
Uma boa macro. Com cores e nitidez.
Um boa foto.
TFS
Reynaldo

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3317 W: 148 N: 6136] (18716)
  • [2005-08-30 3:46]

It looks like it belongs in a comic book. What a strange pattern it has Alli. I hope it was outside your door! Thank you for sharing and please keep it over there.
You do need patience for macro but practice does pay off - in the long run.

Nice and colourful close-up, Alli.
The environment is not the best but thats nothing you could do about. Good POV and very nie colours.
Well done.

PL

  • Great 
  • tjasa Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 100 W: 0 N: 84] (647)
  • [2005-08-30 6:10]

Hy Alli!
interesting animal with nice colours. :)
tfs

  • Good 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1488 W: 72 N: 1428] (4748)
  • [2005-08-30 6:51]

Hi Alli,

I am not the one to critique macroshots as I am HORRIBLE at it. I will try anyway; like you wrote the scenery is not very natural, but there is nothing you could do about it I guess. ;) The white spots on his back are a bit oe and the dark parts are ue. Colors are very nice and composition is good. I think you did okay! TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

Hi Alli, Nice macro despite the technical difficulties of the shot. It's well composed and I like your frame here. Good POV also. It appears to be a type of moth, but there are a kazillion of em'..Well done.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4635 W: 248 N: 4025] (13237)
  • [2005-08-30 9:58]

Hi Alli,
I wish I could help you about ID, but I'm not good at it. Even I search,I may write wrong ID! I think it's more difficult than taking shots!
It looks very interesting. I'll visit this shot later to learn the ID.
TFS

This is amazing: it really has Halloween colors!
I think this is a good macro.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1872 W: 304 N: 4301] (14733)
  • [2005-08-31 8:20]

Hi again Alli! I do not have the time to write a complete comment. Sorry for the ID. I cannot help. Maybe the name is written on it. That seems to be chineese symbols!!!

"Study and research into truth often only serves to make us see by experience our natural ignorance."
~ Magdeleine Sable (c. 1599-1678)

Thank you for sharing picture and note and for the enjoyment which they give to me.

Hi Alli,

Excellent shot and well done on the composition.
Ailanthus webworm Moth, Atteva punctella.

Mike

Nice shot Alli,
Another busy night. No time for proper critique.
Well captured, well worth the smiley.
Thanks for posting

Nice picture, Alli. The screen grate makes for interesting context. Good detail. Vivid colors.

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