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Schellenbergs Soldier Bug


Schellenbergs Soldier Bug
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: 2005-04-05
Categories: Insects
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ-2-S
Exposure: f/2.8, 1/100 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-04-07 4:13
Viewed: 1094
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
At first glance this looks like a garden pest,and I'm sure many innocent individuals of this species have been sprayed by unknowing gardeners,but Schellenbergs Soldier Bug,Oechalia schellenbergii,is one of New Zealands most useful bugs for controlling garden pests.
It feeds mainly on caterpillars,and is one of the few predators of the notorious Eucalyptus Tortoise Beetle,which can seriously damage gum trees.
It is native to New Zealand,but can also be found in Australia.
I previously posted another similar predatory bug,the Brown Soldier Bug,which also feeds on caterpillars.Many of the monarch caterpillars in my neighbours garden have fallen victim to these in recent weeks.
I wish I could show this a little larger,but such are the limitations of the 'macro' mode on my camera.I'm already seriously thinking of upgrading.
Fisher, marhowie, elizemeijer, hummingbird24, PDP has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To elizemeijer: bug sizeLordPotty 1 04-07 17:53
To red45: close up lensLordPotty 1 04-07 17:51
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2005-04-07 6:39]

Hello Steve. This is an excellent macro. The bug looks great, the colors are superb and the details are sharp. Really well composed. Well done & TFS!

Well done with this one Steve. Glad to see critters from N.Z.

Mike

Mornin' Steve! I like your composition and the shot has great color..Enjoyed your note also..
TFS!

What a funny-looking bug. the paterns on the back are shown very nicely in this shot. How big is it ??

Elize

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-04-07 16:04]
  • [+]

I remember your post with Brown Soldier Bug - it was bloody :-) This one is also nice - I like composition at the edge of leaf.
Steve - if you want better macro try close-up lens - it is rather cheap and effective upgrade.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2005-04-08 7:36]

Thanks for posting this one Steeve. The composition is good and has good detail.

Very well done and thanks for posting

Great capture even with the "perceived limitations". I guess nature does us a disservice when creating similar looking insects that are totally opposite in the benefits (or lack of) to mankind, as in this case. On the other hand it is a matter of survival of the fittest and therefore explains why species evolve as they do.
Great posting, composition and note, thank you.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2005-04-12 17:22]

Hi Steve, we have some predatory bugs here too. I have one in my collection and that too has very spiky shoulder pads. This is very nice shot, nice details and comsposition. TFS.

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