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Seashore Earwig II


Seashore Earwig II
Photo Information
Copyright: Steve Reekie (LordPotty) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1449 W: 146 N: 3764] (12033)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-06-20
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon Powershot SX10 IS
Exposure: f/4, 1/400 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-06-21 1:56
Viewed: 740
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Seashore Earwig
Anisobalis littorea
Family:Labiduridae

In the native Maori language of New Zealand,the name of this earwig,Mata,meaning obsidian,is an obvious reference to the black shiny exoskeleton of the abdomen.
Usually found hiding under driftwood above the high tide mark on beaches throughout the country,they eat seaweed,millipedes,hoppers and slaters (woodlice).
The females tail pincers are quite straight and symmetrical whereas those of the male are much shorter and curved,the right one more tightly curved than the left.
After mating,the female always drives the male away,and is very protective of her eggs.
As you can see in this photo,as soon as I lifted the driftwood I found her under,she immediately began moving her eggs to safety.
The female also licks her eggs to give them a protective coating of fungicide.
She gets little thanks for this nurturing behaviour,because the young will generally eat her once they are big enough.Occassionally though,if a female remains strong enough she will eat her young before they get a chance to eat her.
There are around 20 species of Earwig in New Zealand,most of them unique to this country.
Of these,the Seashore Earwig is by far the largest,growing to around 4cm
..........................................................................................
A few months ago I posted a much better shot of a Seashore Earwig female tending to her eggs.
If you would like to see that one too you can do so here
I hope you like this head on view too.
Cheers & thanks for looking,
Steve
Argus, haraprasan, jlinaresp, briGG, roges, cicindela has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3748 W: 186 N: 11161] (34473)
  • [2009-06-21 2:17]

Hello Steve,
Nice frontal view macro of an emergent Seashore Earwig, the visible parts being sharp and showing the length of one of the antennae with fine sharpness.
Glad you referr us to an earlier shot of the same species though!
Thanks and all the best,
Ivan

Namastay Steve,
A nice capture of this earwig. Very good details and a nice composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Sincerely
Hara

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1297 W: 0 N: 2467] (8757)
  • [2009-06-21 5:48]

Hi Lord,
another special insect you presented. Very well captured in its natural surroundings. The sharpness is great and the lighting is great to enahnce the beuty.

Regards,
Foozi

Hola Esteve!

Excellent approach to this insect. I see the combination you're using ISO 100, 1/400s, f/4.0 and calibred flash, this combination yields excellent results for photography in difficult light conditions. I call the "144". Additionally, I take the box extended to improve AF focus.

I am glad to see you are improving more and more with your SX10! ... excellent work, compliments and you're fine!

Regards,

Jesús

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2009-06-21 14:14]

Hi Steve,
A great macro of this Seashore Earwig!
Well composed.
Excellent sharpness.

Well done,

Joe

Hi Steve,

an good pov and good of sharpness and dof picture.
Fine colours.

Gert

  • Great 
  • briGG Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 171 W: 2 N: 272] (1383)
  • [2009-06-25 6:24]

Hello Steve,

A great macro of this Seashore Earwig! Good POV, we see the head and thorax very well!
We see also , in the blur the end of the abdomen : a pair of forceps-like!

Thanks

brigitte

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 565 W: 0 N: 472] (2922)
  • [2009-06-30 8:08]

Hi Steve !

Excellent catch!
Exceptional done and played, congratulations.
Have a nice day,
Adrian

This is a lovely shot of this insect. Excellent sharp details.
Best wishes,
Achim

Hello Steve!
This creature looks really huge on your picture :) I like portrait view and low POV in this presentation. Note as always very informative, I like especially part of Maori name (it is always nice to know species name in native language :>).
Greetings from Lodz,
Radomir

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