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Argosarchus horridus for Argus


Argosarchus horridus for Argus
Photo Information
Copyright: Steve Reekie (LordPotty) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1449 W: 146 N: 3764] (12035)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-06-17
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon Powershot SX10 IS
Exposure: f/8, 1 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-06-17 1:16
Viewed: 749
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Large Spiny Stick Insect
Argosarchus horridus
Synonym: Argosarchus spiniger (White, 1846)

Scientific classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Phasmatodea
Suborder: Verophasmatodea
Family: Phasmatidae
Genus: Argosarchus
Hutton, 1898
Species: A. horridus
Binomial name
Argosarchus horridus
(White, 1846)

Found throughout New Zealand but not common.
They mainly chew leaves of Manuka,Kanuka (Leptospermum)& Ramarama (Lophomyrtus),but will eat other native plants such as Pohutukawa & Rata (Metrosideros)
They are endemic to New Zealand,and the sole member of the family Phasmatidae.
.......................................................

A couple of days ago I posted a collage of New Zealand stick insects,and Ivan suggested that it might be a difficult proposition to try and present the whole creature effectively.
I decided that next time I saw one I would do my best to capture its whole length,not actually expecting to see one again until next summer.
Well,today I took a trip out to Moana (Lake Brunner)& shot a few landscapes around the mouth of the Arnold River.We're well into winter now.There is snow on the mountains all around,and frost and ice everywhere....definitely not the kind of weather you'd expect to find a stick insect in.
After leaving Moana,I headed to Langdons Creek,near Stillwater,to take a few forest shots.
While I was photographing some umbrella mosses on a rock by the stream,a native Robin came and stood within arms reach of me,inquisitively observing me with head cocked on one side.
I got my camera ready,as if I could really shoot one of these quick little birds in such low light,and while I was doing so,the Robin started jumping and pecking at something under a log.
Before I realised what was happening,the Robin plucked off a huge stick insect,longer than itself,and flew off into the bush with it.
I was amazed to even see a stick insect in mid winter,and cursed myself for missing such a good opportunity.
After that,I kept my eyes open for stick insects,and sure enough,before long,I found this one hanging on to the black sooty trunk of a beech tree.
It seemed barely alive,which is hardly surprising in such cold weather,and I also noticed that it had one deformed shrunken front leg (the one in the air).
This is a large female,about 20 cm long including outstretched front legs.
After photographing it,I left it on the log,and headed off wondering how long it would be before another bird spotted it.

All in all,a pretty good day in the forest.
More pics from today to follow.
Thanks for looking.
Cheers
Steve
ramthakur, sandpiper2, CatherineD, Argus, boreocypriensis, goutham_ramesh, DarioM has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To thor68: Snap!LordPotty 1 06-17 07:11
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Critiques [Translate]

It is a pretty long Stick Insect, Steve.
20cm? My assumption was that it would be the length of an average-sized grasshopper. To my utter surprise, it fills the entire frame of your picture.
Very interesting insect endemic to your country. Your collage did not give a clear impression of its size. In fact, it was a stroke of good luck for us too because you were on the theme and were able find the subject in the middle of winter.
The picture is very good and gives a clear impression why the insect is named thus.
Thanks and regards.
Ram

Hi Steve

Great note. And yes I think you got the POV perfect, in fact I think the whole composition is one of teh best I've seen from you (at least for non-fungi subjects), so well done.
Good sharpness, DOF and long exposure
It sounds brrrr over there.
Chris

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2411 W: 94 N: 5569] (17712)
  • [2009-06-17 4:43]

Hello Steve,
Great photo of ths stick insect in a splendid environment. You made the best choise of POV. The dark BG also is very beautiful. Excellent DOF, sharpness and natural colours.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 657 W: 15 N: 1636] (6365)
  • [2009-06-17 5:16]

Hello Steve
Interesting capture, I never seen before this species. Well done.
Regards
Razvan

wow, what a monster! :-) 20cm is big - i had some smaller ones (around 10cm) for a couple years at home, they reproduced
very well...until i put a spider into their "cage". great capture, love the details and colors. best wishes & take care, thor.

Namastay Steve,
A not easy to put entirely on focus subject. But still then it is very presentable from your choosen POV. Sharp details and good composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Sincerely
Hara

Hi Steve,
Very interesting note, useful to understand the difficult conditions you take this insect. The lignt is well managed and the composition is excellent. TFS,
Catherine

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2009-06-17 12:07]

Hi Steve,
What a cracking shot of this huge Stick Insect!
Very sharp and clear.
Great composition.
I love the greeny lushness which is in nearly all of your photos... it's a New Zealand thing :-)

Very well done, mate and a great dedication to Ivan!

Thanks again for the book, it's brilliant!

Joe

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3831 W: 190 N: 11410] (35161)
  • [2009-06-17 12:28]

Thanks Steve!
A great full length capture of this splendidly named Stick insect !:)).
The POV is ideal for this 20cm giant and you got pretty good sharpness and DOF with fine contrast against the mossy BG. Great pose with the front legs looking as if they work as feelers.
Thanks again,
Cheers,
Ivan

Ahhh... Steve! i have to admit that when i saw the thumnail in first sight i thougt this is a lizard:) but when i open the large version i surprised:) What a weird stick insect resembling a stick realy:) Well observed and captured by you MF! i liked the surrounding natural environment and green colour tones in this shot too.
TFS this beauty:)
Have a nice day MF!
Cheers,

Bayram

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1343 W: 0 N: 2585] (9117)
  • [2009-06-17 21:37]

Hi Lord,
excellent shot of this unique insect. I like its unique shapes and colours. The depiction is very beautiful with the surrounding well seen.
Nice opportunity to share.

regards,
Foozi

Esteve, holy heavens, had not seen the full picture of the insect!

It is absolutely awful! ... but equally, you've got well.

Good composition of the photo!

Jesús

This is a new species to me. Love the way you have presented in its natural habitat and the useful notes too. Your other picture with a closeup is good too with lots of details thanks for sharing

Hi Steve :) Excellent capture.
Nice colours with fantastic detail.

Wow! This is really cool Steve! Both Subject and environment in this image work together so well. New Zealand is awesome, I've see your world through your lens and it makes me want to visit even more. :)

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