| Actual Image
Ladybird (30)
kooreman
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 156 W: 7 N: 128]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (666) | The first time I shot a ladybird in macro. I like to see the details of it. Normally I don't see all the detail but in this macro it reveals a lot more to me.
The following info was taken from: Insected Arizona. There is more to be found there.
Immatures (different stages)
Eggs are yellow and laid in small clusters often stuck to leaves. The eggs hatch after one week. The larvae have six legs and are very mobile, but do not have wings. They are black with small orange or white markings. The larvae molt three times before pupating. Attached to leaves, stems or rocks, the pupa is orange and black. Before the wings harden, the newly emerged adult is yellow.
Natural History
Food
Both beetle larvae and adults are active predators eating only aphids and other plant eating insects, such as scales and mites.
Habitat
Both adults and larvae live on plants frequented by aphids, including roses, oleander, milkweed and broccoli. In the winter, the adults hibernate in large groups, often in mountains at high elevations. The female beetle lays eggs only where she knows aphids are present.
Predators
Larvae are eaten by lacewing larvae. Birds attempt to eat adults but because of their "bad taste" the beetles are not ingested.
Interesting Behaviors
As a defense, ladybug adults will fall to the ground and "play dead." They also can secrete an amber bad tasting fluid from the joints in their legs.
I PP-ed this as usual with levels, USM and some crop. In addition I used cloning to remove some reflection of the flash. |
|
