Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

From last summer.
First up is a European earwig (Forficula auricularia). Their pinching cerci are curious things. In this species, they can’t really pinch with them, but when alarmed they wield them as if they could. The cerci also vary in size, and I will later show examples of that.
European earwig by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Next is an unknown weevil. It looks to be in the genus Conotrachelis, and that is all I have on it.
Weevil by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

A great spangled fritillary butterfly (Speyeria cybele).
Great spangled fritillary by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

The grapeleaf skeletonizer moth (Harrisina americana). This is one several species of unrelated moths that mimic each other with bright warning colors that tell predators they are toxic. Another familiar example is yellow-collared scape moth, although that species is larger.
Grapeleaf skeletonizer by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Bringing up the rear are male and female jumping spiders (Phidippus clarus). The male is in plain view, while the female is seen as a vague outline in her silken retreat. According to BugGuide, females of this species are frequently seen hanging out at the top of plants like this. The male, having found her, is now guarding his “intended” against any rival males. Although disturbed by my attentions, he would not leave her side.
Jumping spider male and female by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Jumping spider male and female by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Jumping spider male and female by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Thank you for looking!

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Great set of images!!! Mark

JimmyTB

Awesome set Mark. And thank you for including the educational info as usual.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Great set Mark. Excellent detail.
>i< Doc

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Great series. Warning the Earwig is noted for going into a sleeping person's ear and burrowing into the brain.
Before you go to bed tonight watch:
https://thewordwebzine.weebly.com/tv/night-gallery-earwig-episode-might-be-greatest-horror-tv-episode-ever

I like the painted effect of the last 3 photos.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

Are are superb, Mark.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

What a neat series of photographs. Well done.

Dennis

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Thank you, everybody!


They don't really do that, of course!

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

An excellent set, Mark.

tinusbum Loc: east texas

good series!

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Beautiful set, love the Jumpers

LeeinNC Loc: Morganton, NC

Well done, Mark!

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

Truly great set. Really nice work.

gym Loc: Athens, Georgia

Mark, these are REALLY good. I especially like the lighting for the earwig. Did you do anything different for that?

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Thank you. Two things went into that.
The first is that earwigs have this wonderful matte texture where its hard to take a bad picture of them as long as you use a diffused flash. Unlike other shiny insects, their texture does not easily blow out.
The second is that I did my usual post processing in Gimp (which is much like photoshop). I lightened the darkened shadows a bit with the curves tool, and I used sharpening.