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Lesser Capricorn Beetle


Lesser Capricorn Beetle
Photo Information
Copyright: Ivan Kruys (Argus) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2012-06-13
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 7D, Canon 100 mm F2.8L IS Macro USM
Exposure: f/11, 1/1000 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2013-02-27 22:19
Viewed: 2963
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
THE TRAGEDY CAUSED BY A PILE OF DECIDUOUS TREE LOGS

This is the third posting of a series of images of beetles dependent on newly felled logs, the image of which is seen in the WORKSHOP of the first image in this series.
This pile consists mainly of Oak, with a few Aspen logs. These were felled on the island of Öland, the central part of which has deciduous forests, known to be rich in rare insect life.
Mostly females are attracted to the logs to lay eggs but their offspring is lost when the logs are taken to the saw mills.
This is one of the main reasons why these insects have become so rare!


Lesser Capricorn Beetle, Cerambyx scopolii
Swedish name: Mindre ekbock

In Sweden it is dependent on species of Quercus, Oaks that have recently died or been felled. It can be found on a sunlit pile of recently felled oak logs in late spring and early summer. The eggs are laid on the bark and the larvae feed on the wood closest to the bark.
Other species of deciduous trees are also used, even living trees and it can reach pest proportions by killing trees.
Several individuals, both male and female came to the log pile. The females were looking for places to lay their eggs while the males were drawn to the logs to look for females.

This individual had a body length of about 2.5 cm, but this is almost half the size of its close and much rarer relative, the Greater Capricorn Beetle.

The usual way of finding this species is to look on white flowers like those of Hawthorn or Elderberry, see WORKSHOP.

In Sweden this species is found in small areas in the SE, especially the island of Öland.
In Europe it is quite widespread but deforestation of Deciduous trees and logging is making this a threatened species.

This was taken with the camera hand-held. After slight cropping and size reduction the image was slightly sharpened
jusninasirun, anel, KOMSIS, ramthakur, marius-secan, Hormon_Manyer, PeterZ, goatman04, Marco2010, Silvio2006, McQueenca, CeltickRanger has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Ivan.
This is a fine beetle capture. From the thumbnail, I was thinking that it was crawling on a tiled floor. Nice details of the black body which is not easy to capture.
Thanks and kind regards.
Jusni

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2013-02-28 4:23]

Bonjour Ivan,
A very interesting note going with this shot of the Lesser Capricorn Beetle. I like the picture in the WS too. A documentary shot which will be much appreciated by naturalists. I have to look for this species in my country too.
Amitiés
Anne

  • Great 
  • KOMSIS Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 820 W: 0 N: 2419] (10674)
  • [2013-02-28 5:15]

Hej Ivan,
Nice presentation ..
Natural color contrasts. Nice composition and light.
best wishes,
Seyfi

Excellent capture of this dark Beetle on the logs, Ivan.
The background itself tells a story. In my childhood and younger days, I too witnessed indiscriminate logging for commercial purposes decimating forests and wild life in my native hilly region soon after the Independence in 1947. Fortunately, stringent measures are now in place to revive and conserve nature and I feel very happy about it.
Thanks for sharing this picture with a thought provoking note.
Regards,
Ram

  • Great 
  • nagraj Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1618 W: 106 N: 3208] (15166)
  • [2013-02-28 6:31]

Hi,
Beautiful beetle image with perfect background..fine composition.tfs
nagraj.v

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2013-02-28 7:18]

Hello Ivan,
Excellent macro of this Lesser Capricorn Beetle in impressive sharpness and details. Fine chooice of composition. Beautiful light and natural colours.
Regards,
Peter

Hello Ivan,
Once again a wonderful photo taken from a very good angle and POV. Exceptional quality....Outstanding sharp details. Splendid contrast of this interesting Beetle and the background.
Thanks for sharing!
Marius.

Hello Mr.Ivan,
Well captured this Beetle.Nice work with Macro.Brilliant light and focus on subject with POV.
Thanks for sharing,
Kind regards and respect,
Srikumar

Hi Ivan,
Beautiful capture. The metallic black of the beetle really makes great contrast with the ochre of the dead Quercus. Excellent sharpness, and the textures on the insect's bodies are much softer and less reflecting than on the workshop photo, which is great plus for me. Simple yet pleasant composition, nice shot overall. Congrats and tfs.
Best regards, László

hallo Ivan
very nice picture with great sharpness and beautiful colours
i like this composition on the tree
thanks greeting lou

Salam Ivan,
An excellent capture with nice details, sharpness & presentation. Nice work & a great composition. TFS & best salam/wishes!

Umar

Hello Ivan
Excellent photo of the beetle. Good to see the interesting antenna. Very good detail and exposure. Sad story, perhaps the loggers can be persuaded to leave some logs.
regards yiannis

Ciao Ivan.
Splendida foto di questo esemplare di Scarabeo,grande nitidezza con ottimi dettagli,stupendi colori naturali,molto bella complimenti.
Ciao Marco.
Grazie della condivisione.

Ciao Ivan, great macro of fantastic beetle, interesting note, fine details, splendid sharpness and wonderful natural colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

HI Ivan
Great photo of this beetle. Super focus and detail from a close POV. Extinction by removal, very sad. We have to increase our awareness.
Thanks for sharing
Best regards
Colin

Hello Ivan
Interesting subject and beautiful photo with good composition, wonderful lighting and good sharpness.
Regards,
Christodoulos

Hello Ivan,
Excellent close-up of this Beetle in fine sharpness,details and nice BG.
Thanks and my regards,
Joy

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2013-03-01 8:50]

Hi Ivan,great capture of this beetle,i like the choice of point of view to create this original perspective,great details,colors and exposure as usual,it's time for you to back in Gambia whit a digital camera..ehehe...Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

Ciao Ivan. Top details and sharp against the graphic wood like BG. Well done.

Roberto

Hello Ivan

Excellent macro of this insect, the great POV,
DOF and framing bringing dynamism to the image,
with the great focus, sharpness, details,
and contrast contributing for that, TFS

Asbed

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