A very tiny Nymph stage insect
Jun 1, 2023 22:34:25 #
Using my Olympus EM1ii with the 60mm macro lens, I captured this very tiny Nymph stage insect. The flowers you see are tiny too. Only 3mm diameter from edge of petal on one side to edge of petal on the other side. And sitting on one of the petals is a very tiny nymph of an unidentified insect. Using the EM1ii and 60mm macro, I got as close as it would let me autofocus which has to be very close to 1:1 on a m43 camera. Was using a Godox TT685ii flash for light.
This is the uncropped image from the camera. Zoom in all the way to see.
Considering that a single petal is about 1mm across, this nymph, which I could not see with my eyes, must be slightly less than 0.5mm.
I also captured more images from other flower clusters and saw many more of these nymphs. But this was the only one fully out in the open.
This is the uncropped image from the camera. Zoom in all the way to see.
Considering that a single petal is about 1mm across, this nymph, which I could not see with my eyes, must be slightly less than 0.5mm.
I also captured more images from other flower clusters and saw many more of these nymphs. But this was the only one fully out in the open.
Jun 2, 2023 09:44:26 #
Zooming in (a lot!) I can see that the insect is what is called a thrip. You can crop the picture to a fraction of its size, and it holds up reasonably well.
Jun 2, 2023 10:19:07 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
Zooming in (a lot!) I can see that the insect is what is called a thrip. You can crop the picture to a fraction of its size, and it holds up reasonably well.
Something I had never heard of. Thank you for telling me what they are. I have also taken video clips of them using a Dino-Lite USB microscope and they actually move around very quickly. I find them living among this ground cover type flowering plant, most of which I have now gotten rid of.
Jun 2, 2023 21:26:24 #
They are a unique order of insects, which is a pretty substantial thing. Although super numerous, they are also quite obscure and a bit weird. Many feed on fungi, others feed on plant sap, and others are predators.
Here is Wikipedia on them: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrips
Here is Wikipedia on them: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrips
Jun 2, 2023 21:53:25 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
They are a unique order of insects, which is a pretty substantial thing. Although super numerous, they are also quite obscure and a bit weird. Many feed on fungi, others feed on plant sap, and others are predators.
Here is Wikipedia on them: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrips
Here is Wikipedia on them: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrips
Yes, I would certainly say "obscure". I can't even see them with just my eyes.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.