Beetle Up Close
Mar 9, 2021 23:24:08 #
This is my preserved Darkling Beetle that I staged for a focus stacking session to showcase its face, mandibles and other mouthparts.
Darkling beetles are quite beneficial and they eat both fresh and decaying vegetation. They are a food source for birds, rodents and lizards so they play an important part in the food chain.
The larval stages of several species are cultured as feeder insects for captive insectivores and include the very commonly known ‘mealworms’ and ‘superworms’ and the lesser-known ‘mini mealworms’. They are available at nearly all pet stores and many raise them for a food source for their insect eating collection of pets.
Darkling beetles are quite beneficial and they eat both fresh and decaying vegetation. They are a food source for birds, rodents and lizards so they play an important part in the food chain.
The larval stages of several species are cultured as feeder insects for captive insectivores and include the very commonly known ‘mealworms’ and ‘superworms’ and the lesser-known ‘mini mealworms’. They are available at nearly all pet stores and many raise them for a food source for their insect eating collection of pets.
Mar 10, 2021 06:14:58 #
RLSprouse
Loc: Encinitas CA (near Sandy Eggo)
Beautifully done, Gary. You are really mastering the lighting control for these tricky subjects.
~ Russ
~ Russ
Mar 10, 2021 07:46:49 #
sippyjug104 wrote:
This is my preserved Darkling Beetle that I staged... (show quote)
awesome...i like his hat...lol. outstanding job sippy!!
Mar 10, 2021 09:18:17 #
RLSprouse wrote:
Beautifully done, Gary. You are really mastering the lighting control for these tricky subjects.
~ Russ
~ Russ
Thanks, Russ. It's warming to know that you enjoyed seeing it.
Mar 10, 2021 09:18:57 #
merrytexan wrote:
awesome...i like his hat...lol. outstanding job sippy!!
Thanks, Merrytexan. I can see the hat now that you mentioned it!
Mar 10, 2021 09:57:36 #
Mar 10, 2021 10:23:48 #
kpmac wrote:
Another fine set.
Thanks, Kpmac. Another in the never ending pursuit of lighting.
Mar 10, 2021 17:19:24 #
Mar 10, 2021 17:50:01 #
SX2002 wrote:
Great shot sippy... 
Thanks for stopping by and for the reply.
Mar 11, 2021 20:00:41 #
sippyjug104 wrote:
This is my preserved Darkling Beetle that I staged... (show quote)
And now I know the source of the mealworms we put out for our feeder birds! Always learn from your posts, Sippy...and a beautiful image!!
Mar 11, 2021 23:20:10 #
Dixiegirl wrote:
And now I know the source of the mealworms we put out for our feeder birds! Always learn from your posts, Sippy...and a beautiful image!!
Thanks, Donna. It's difficult to imagine that something like a mealworm will pupate and become one of these Darkling Beetles. All nature's creatures play a special part in their own and often unique ways.
Mar 13, 2021 00:43:09 #
Mar 13, 2021 15:02:28 #
Mar 14, 2021 12:52:16 #
Mar 14, 2021 13:01:38 #
HOT Texas wrote:
Sweet shot!!!!
Thanks, HOT Texas. I truly hope that you were not caught up in the ice storm across Texas a while back.
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