Bryony Ladybirds in Habitat
e6filmuser
Registered Users Posts: 3,379 Major grins
The previous images of the adult were of one out of a pupa found on Crocosmia aka Monbretia but kept in a plastic box until it emerged. It was photographed against a background of leaves which were not its food plant.
When the original pupa was found, larvae and pupae were located on the Bryony plant and photographed in situ. Images will be posted soon.
To clarify, “Bryony”, in this context, is White Bryony Bryonia cretica, a species in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae. Black Bryony Tamus communis is a species in the yam family Dioscoreaceae. Thus, the two plants, which have a superficial resemblance, are not closely related.
A second visit to the Bryony host plant, after the captive beetle had emerged from its pupa, found two adults to be present. Because of the cramped situation, and possible entanglement with the Bryony vine and the attached bramble, only a single flash was used.
They were photographed with my Kiron 105mm macro lens at f11. The first four images are from this session. The unfortunate white background it a UPVC window frame. The white patch on the leaf in some images is mildew.
On a third occasion, additional adults were found to have pupated on a Comfrey plant and emerged there. They were photographed with twin flash and the Printing Nikkor 105mm lens at f11. The remaining five images are from this session.
There are numerous highlights on the setae e.g. of the legs and mouthparts. These are present in the RAW files.
I am now hoping to find eggs.
Harold
When the original pupa was found, larvae and pupae were located on the Bryony plant and photographed in situ. Images will be posted soon.
To clarify, “Bryony”, in this context, is White Bryony Bryonia cretica, a species in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae. Black Bryony Tamus communis is a species in the yam family Dioscoreaceae. Thus, the two plants, which have a superficial resemblance, are not closely related.
A second visit to the Bryony host plant, after the captive beetle had emerged from its pupa, found two adults to be present. Because of the cramped situation, and possible entanglement with the Bryony vine and the attached bramble, only a single flash was used.
They were photographed with my Kiron 105mm macro lens at f11. The first four images are from this session. The unfortunate white background it a UPVC window frame. The white patch on the leaf in some images is mildew.
On a third occasion, additional adults were found to have pupated on a Comfrey plant and emerged there. They were photographed with twin flash and the Printing Nikkor 105mm lens at f11. The remaining five images are from this session.
There are numerous highlights on the setae e.g. of the legs and mouthparts. These are present in the RAW files.
I am now hoping to find eggs.
Harold
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Brian v.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
Thanks, Brian.
That leaves the images of larvae to post.
Harold