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Bug on Bug on a Bug


Bug on Bug on a Bug
Photo Information
Copyright: Mark Thompson (bugcowboy) (72)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-05-04
Categories: Insects
Camera: Kodak 6490
Exposure: f/4
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-06-05 4:07
Viewed: 1188
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hidden surprises!
I realise the quality of this image is not very good but thought I would post it anyway because it is very interesting.
I was strolling through our garden quietly looking for subjects for my field assignment
(Insect collection) for UNI, when I noticed a Mantis nymph quietly, and patiently stalking a Bee.
I decided to wait and attempt to photograph the event for research purposes and was stunned at the sequence of events that unfolded. I did not have a tri-pod with me and so quietly went about focusing and setting the camera in readiness.
As quick as a flash the Mantis (Mantidae) grabbed the Bee (Apis mellefera) and began to consume it catching me by surprise, I quickly aimed and began to shoot the event.
As soon as the Mantis began to consume the Bee a few little flies, which came from nowhere, started to land on the both the Bee and the Mantis and appeared to be feeding on the Bee too. At the same time as the flies arrived, I noticed a small butterfly (Family Pieridae, Species Zizina labradus labradus) out of the corner of my eye that landed on a flower right in front of the feeding frenzy and began to feed on the nectar.
When I finally finished the shoot and downloaded the images you can imagine my surprise when I noticed that another little Insect had join the smorgasbord which I had totally missed during the shoot.
You will have to zoom in and look carefully but it is there.
So in the end I had Mantis consuming a Bee, A Butterfly consuming nectar, 3 small flies ( Dolichopodidae) helping the Mantis consume the Bee and there sitting right on top of the little fly who is sitting right on top of the Mantid’s eye is a tiny little Midge.
I cannot identify the flies properly as this image is not good enough nor can I Identify the Midge but it is a very interesting shot none the less.
So I had a Midge on a Fly on the eye of a Mantis…….a bug on a bug on a bug !!!
I have cropped the image but haven't as yet adjusted light or contrast.

Hope you enjoy.
phlr, samos has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Mark,
such an impressive moment, congratulation, very well seen. I'm a little jelous - I only saw a small mantis one time in my live - had the big hope to see one in my holidays in Asia, but nothing! So I love to see shots of Mantis here on TN - and this one is very dramatic, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • Oz1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 76 W: 2 N: 173] (994)
  • [2006-06-05 5:10]

Hey Mark,
Very nive catch you had!!
I like it very much!
oz

Hi mark, What a chaos!
nicely captured!
regards, Stefaan

  • Great 
  • phlr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1241 W: 129 N: 881] (2814)
  • [2006-06-06 4:32]

Great capture!
Don't forget the butterfly on the top right corner.
Very good job!
Very good POV and BG!
5* and TFS!

G-day Mark Pictures do tell a thousand stories.
Well spotted and thanks for sharing

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