Warning - extreme close-up bug photos - ladybird larva eating an aphid

[onefivenine]

I bought some ladybird larva online last week, and placed them around the garden and in my growhouse. Thought I'd probably never see them again, but found one today, guarding my first cucumber! And considerably larger than last week.

It has just about finished this aphid I think!







Quite a satisfying find!

[quark1]

Can't stand bugs of any kind - but there is a certain beauty/ugliness that they possess which I find fascinating.

Sci-Fi of innerspace in our own back-yards.

Great pics - fab magnification!

[seasprout]

Ohh what camera are you using..?

Nice pic.

[selfraising]

Amazing pics!

[onefivenine]

Thanks guys. I love taking photos of bugs, yet I'm terrified of some of them! Need to dig the camera out more - I haven't taken many shots for a while.

I use a serious macro lens - Canon MP-E, it gives 1-5x lifesize magnification. Cost a fortune though and weighs a ton!

This is my first year with a garden so it's great seeing more and more different bugs appear as we get to the height of summer.

[seasprout]

Nice pics, and your lava works as well.

Right.... Dear Santa i want..................

[onefivenine]

Thanks seasprout. Hope to get some more shots of them as they grow, pupate and finally as ladybirds - before they fly off to a better garden!
With a bit of luck they'll lay some eggs - god knows I've probably enough greenfly about to sustain a few zillion families of ladybirds!

[seasprout]

god knows I've probably enough greenfly about to sustain a few zillion families of ladybirds!

Think of it like this.............if you want to see Ladybirds, you need to have greenfly.



A real chinese proverb says "people are sad when the see a rose has thorns, but they should be happy a thorn has roses.!"

All this culture one one glass of wine tonight.! wow. I need a lie down.

Anyhow, look forward to more pics. Can you do bees.?

[onefivenine]

I can try bees!

So far I've only managed a bum-shot on my broad beans weeks ago, but that was a brief encounter - there are loads of them around now. And loads of hoverflies too.

Think I'll try to capture some tomorrow - you've inspired me now, thanks again!

[greengas]

I am well impressed by your photos good work

[ginger ninger]

I have green fly but no ladybirds, i had one but she's flown off, boooo.

[Two_Sheds]

That bee pOrn is fab, more more more please

(what camera?)

[onefivenine]

Thanks very much guys, appreciate the kind comments.

No bee shots yet today... but I am about to go sit in the garden for a bit and stalk some bugs!

TS - I use a Canon 1DmkIII.

[onefivenine]

Spent a wee while outside and here's the best bee shot I managed. It's not the best angle - they are a very tricky subject. It requires a lot of time and patience to get a decent shot.



There doesn't seem to be as many insects about as yesterday but I did see a ladybird this morning, briefly, before it flew away.

[Sweepster]

Beautiful photo.

Took a LOT of effort to type that due to my bitter, envious rage