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Cicindela campestris


Cicindela campestris
Photo Information
Copyright: Jose Ramon Pato (JORAPAVI) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 677 W: 0 N: 629] (4643)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-02-21
Categories: Insects
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50
Exposure: f/11, 1/500 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Tiger beetles (Cicindelidae) of Europe, Tiger beetles (Cicindelidae) of the world [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-02-25 4:20
Viewed: 5529
Points: 76
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [Spanish]
Cicindela campestris

Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Adephaga
Superfamily: Caraboidea
Family: Carabidae
Subfamily: Cicindelinae
Tribe: Cicindelini
Subtribe: Cicindelina
Genus: Cicindela
Species: campestris

The family of Cicindelidae, also known as Tiger Beetles, are members of the suborder Adephaga within the Order Coleoptera. Adult tiger beetles are easy to recognize, they have big compound eyes wich are wider than the pronotum, in most of the genera. Antennae are eleven-segmented, very filiform and inserted on the frons above clypeus and below the eyes. Legs are long and have five-segmented tarsi. Other comon thing among the family are the long sickle shaped mandibles.

Tiger beetles come in many colors. Some are plain black, but others are stunningly decorated in metallic green, brown, maroon, or purple, often with stripes or spots.

Tiger beetles vary in size. The smallest measures 6 millimeters, the largest measures up to 45 millimeters.

ADULT ECOLOGY

Tiger beetles live in very specific types of habitats like sand dunes near seashores , rivers and lakes, but also on sand dunes, sand pits and sand blowouts far away from water. Other species are found in various upland sites, like hill sides, rocky areas near roads, trails and forest openings.

In many sites we can find more species living together, but there is no compitition umong them, becouse of the different microhabitats in wich they live, also many species are separated seasonally and have different times of emergence and so adults live in different periods of the year.

The adults are not active during rainy or cloudy cold days, becouse they are heliophilic insects, this means that there activity is regulated by air temperature, humidity and light intensity. Infact more hotter it is and more difficult it is to capture them, due to their velocity. This is not true for nocturnale species like Megacephala, Omus ext. wich do not fly, and can be found with head lamps while they look for eating. Usually tiger beetles prefer to run and fly when they are disturbed. To do this they jump up and open the elytra so the wings begin go out and become airborn.

In defence, many species of coleoptera produce oders that disturbs predator. Also in Cicindelidae we find this kind of tecnique, even if not so much complex, like it is in closely-related Carabidae. This becouse cicindelids can fly to escape predators, wich can be robber flies (Diptera: Asilidae), dragon flys (Odonata) and also vertebrates like reptiles and amphibians, birds and mammals.

LARVA ECOLOGY

Larva of tiger beetles live in burrows digged in the ground perpendicular to the surface, the depth varies greatly, depending on the type of soil and to geographic location. The entrance has no cone, becouse the larva puts the material it digs up as far away as possible. The big mandibles are used to dig the burrow and they stay at the top, waiting for small insects to pass close enough for capture.

When you find a burrow it si not easy to see the larva becouse it has seen you arrive and goes to the bottom, but if you wait a bit you see it come up. They are very sensitive to vibration of the ground. The entrance not always is open becouse the larva closes it before molting, during pupation, aestivation, hibernation and other things, like after eating, in rainy days and other conditions that makes it feel safe.

Extracted information of
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boreocypriensis, anel, mariki, cicindela, JoseMiguel, Argus, ramthakur, CENT-TRETZE, Alex99, cataclysta, horia, MMM, jmp, gelarsen, meyerd, smitha, dejo, juanit, uleko, Jacobo, iris has marked this note useful
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Discussions
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To cicindela: Cicindela CampestrisJORAPAVI 1 02-27 13:05
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Jose,

An excellent capture of these lovely cicindelids with excelent details,Sharpnes, lighting and even clarity friend. Great!
TFS and Regards,

Bayram

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2008-02-25 4:59]

Bonjour Jose,

Excellente image de ces 2 Cicindelae bien occupées. Le printemps se montre déjà chez vous! pas facile de faire une bonne photos de ces coléoptères.Tu en as fait une belle composition avec de merveilleuses couleurs. Bravo.
Anne

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2008-02-25 5:50]

Excellent shot of these mating Tiger beetles!
Their iridescent colouring is beautiful!
Superb clarity and detail.
Great POV.
Very nicely done.
Well done!

Joe

Hola José Ramón,
Excelente macro de este par de insectos!
Muy bueno el punto de vista y la iluminación para obtener estos espectaculares tonos metálicos.
La selección de la exposición y composición funciona de maravilla.
Enhorabuena y gracias por compartir la foto.
Un gran saludo,
JM

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2008-02-25 6:24]

Hola José Ramón,
Excellent macro of a pair of Tiger Beetles, C. campestris in copulo. Superb POV, sharpness and composition.
Thanks for sharing this beauty,
Un gran saludo,
Ivan

Very fine image of these mating green Tiger Beetles, Jose.
I like the metallic sheen on their bodies. The image is sharp against the earth BG.
TFS and regards.
Ram

Hola Jose, un macro excelente, muy buena definicion, color y detalles de los insectos. Buen trabajo!! Saludos. Carme.

Ciao Jose,
complimenti per questa bella foto di C. campestris in copula.
Non è facile fotografare questi coleotteri, ma tu ci sei riuscito ottimamente, con un'immagine molto nitida e chiara.
Grazie,
Marcello

Hola José Ramón:

Manos mal que el escarabajo verde mio no tenia las pretensiones del que está encima de los dos tuyos, jajajaja.

Un excelente macro el tuyo de estas dos criaturas haciendo el amor, y es que esto de la j..... no tiene enmienda. También podría decir que haces pornografia, pero no lo diré.
Me limitaré tan solo a dicir que has hecho una buena foto documentándola perfecamente. Un buen trabajo amigo mio.

Un abrazo.

Josep

Delicadeza en las formas y detalles José Ramón. Buen enfoque y sobre todo profundidad, con una iluminación y reflejos casi al límite pero aún así bien controlados. Vaya actividad que tenéis ya por allá arriba y eso que aún estamos en Febrero ...
Abrazo: J. Ignasi

Bonjour Jose Ramon
Excellente Macro, belles couleurs et bonne netteté,
très beau tandem qui assurera la pérénité de l'éspèce. Une très belle réussite.
Amicalement Robi

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2008-02-25 9:12]

Hi Jose.
Superb close-up of fine scene. I am amazed with reproduction of all charming details of the beetles. Great diagonal composition and DOF, nice soft lighting and rich natural colours. Bravo.
Alexei.

Hi Jose
Very good shot of these fast insect Pretty good sharpness. Nice natural surroundings and informative note
Best wishes
Krzysztof

Hola Jose Ramon,
Como esta usted, senor Jose?
This is a super fine macro to me with such good closeness of it!
very sharp with wonderful colouration and so much details in it also the useful notes is important!
well done
muchas gracias
Saludos
Tony

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2008-02-25 11:19]

Hi Jose

Fantastic close-up on these two tiger beetles and also an exceptional timing :)
I was sure when i saw this subject that Radek from Poland would be excited :))
This is a great macro really, one with impeccable details and superb, vivid colors.
Also, the DOF here is spot-on and manages to keep them both in terrific focus.
Wonderful work overall!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1114 W: 0 N: 2546] (11425)
  • [2008-02-25 12:01]

Hi Jose
Beautiful presentation.Excellent POV and very sharp image.Great details and lovely colors and light.Your text is als excellent.
TFS Michel

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 2232 W: 10 N: 2971] (16891)
  • [2008-02-25 13:30]

Hola José,
precioso trabajo y delicado pov,
colores y tonos magníficos,
buenos detalles.
saludos amigo.

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2008-02-25 15:22]

Hi Jose,wonderfull moment to take the pic and very nice colours and details,not easy to made so perfect,thanks for share,Luciano

Hola Jose Ramon!
Great picture of pair of Cicindela campestris campestirs during copulation (only nominative subspecies is known from Spain). I like a lot natural colours and very nice sharpness.
Moreover I would like to congratulate photographing this species - I know, it is rather wide-distributed tiger beetle, but this is not easy to take such picture (last few years i am "hunting" for it with my camera, but till now without any success...). Especially that picture was taken few days ago!
Note is very informative too.
Best greetings from Lodz,
Radomir

Ps. If you agree I would like to add this picture to 2 themes: tiger beetles of Europe, and tiger beetles of the world :)

Hello Jose,

Excellent shot of these beetles. Very nice POV and composition. Excellent sharpness and light. Great colours.
Very well done,
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2008-02-26 1:27]

Jose This is fantastic. Excellent position and lovely frame. Thanks for sharing Ganesh

Bonjour,
Excellent angle de vue et le flash ne se fait pas sentir.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

bonjour jose ramon
c'est deja la saison des amours pour les insectes en aspagne alors qu'ici ils ne sont pas encore ressortis!
qualité d'image toujours exemplaire.
laurent

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1659 W: 95 N: 2273] (8415)
  • [2008-02-28 12:26]

Hola José Ramón:
Perfecta macro con bellos colores, gran nitidez, excelente pose, punto de vista y composición. Una gran captura de estos bellos insectos.
Abrazo, José M.

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1137 W: 26 N: 3879] (13882)
  • [2008-02-29 8:46]

Hi Jose,
an excellent close up of these jewel like insects, with fine detail, a great composition and wonderful colour.
Very well done,
Paul

Insects look great over a nice uniformly colored background. Insect details are nice and sharp.
Gary

Hola Jose Ramon.

Como dice uno en su comentario, las has pillado bien ocupadas y con la calidad que acostumbras.

Saludos.

Hi José,
I always wonder how you guys are able to not only take a picture of those fast Cicindelid runners but even care for all he details like light, sharpness --- and here even "action". i never succeeded in anything with the buggers. So here are my compliments for the achievement. And the result is worth any effort. Beautiful!
My best regards
Dietrich

Hello Jose,
excellent capture of the mating Cicindela. Amazing sharpness and details.Perfect POV and DOF. Nice composition.Excellent use of fill in flash. Well saturated colours.
Thanks for the share,
Smitha.

  • Great 
  • dejo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 344 W: 51 N: 520] (2242)
  • [2008-03-23 5:25]

Hello Jose,
great capturewith fantastic details! nice moment captured & great sharpness
best regards, Dejan

Hello José Ramón,
A fine composition and the action is well captured!
This is a fine piece of macro work, DOF spot on and pin sharp details in the insects...
Attractive colour palette and a well balanced composition!
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 998 W: 65 N: 1270] (5199)
  • [2008-04-22 6:26]

Hola Jose Ramón
Qué excelente foto de este par de graciosas cicindelas! Me parece genial el punto de vista, el extraordinario enfoque y la composición en diagonal. Yo encontré una de éstas en la sierra de Cazorla hace un par de años, pero apenas tuve tiempo de hacerle un par de fotos con no muy buena luz y sin gracia ninguna, todo hay que decirlo.
Muy interesante la información.
Felicidades y saludos.
Maite

Hello Jose

An excellent captue.Great composition,sharpness and detail.I particularly loke the metallic sheen on their bodies really striking.

Best wishes

Anita & Mike

Muy buenas José Ramón
Un gran momento para ellos, me imagino que los insectos también tendrán su satisfacción si no es casí imposible el tema de la reproducción ya que supone un coste energético... bueno tampoco me hagas mucho caso, lo que si te digo es que es una gran foto y un gran documento.
Un abrazo.

PD. El resto de fotos, muy buenas, pero tenía que comentar una.....

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2008-06-11 6:45]

Hello Jose,
What a brilliant capture of this pair very nicely in focus. Beautiful light and colours and very sharp details too. I like the background and the composition is great.
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

Hola José Ramón.
Lo que me llama la atención es la perfeción de los colores a pesar de haber utilizado el flash. Cuando yo lo hago, es muy dificil evitar que aparezcan reflejos.
Saludos
Jacobo

nice capture, TFS Ori

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 479 W: 60 N: 970] (3088)
  • [2009-03-05 20:34]

Hello Jose,
I havent been to your gallery for a long time.And it is great to see this pair of little jewels of nature that shine and shimmer away.
The details are superb and the striking green metallic sheen on them works wonders.Very good PoV and excellent use of DoF.Both the subjects are in very good view.Good focus, lighting and sharpness in this composition showing the mating beetles.The angle you have used make the ground look almost like a wall.There is a certain 3 dimensional effect to the whole work.

Thanks for sharing.
Cheers
Slpa

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