This is a focus-stacked image of a Darkling Beetle in its pupa stage. I've also included a graphic image that illustrates the lifecycle of the beetle. Those who have ever had lizards, frogs, or other such animals as pets, may be familiar with the larvae stage referred to as "mealworms" that they used to feed those pets.
If you look closely, you can see the features of the soon-to-be beetle starting to be defined at this stage.
Very good macro, Sippy, not a pretty sight.
Earnest Botello wrote:
Very good macro, Sippy, not a pretty sight.
Thanks, Earnest. The metamorphosis from pupa to adult is one of nature's true wonders.
Thanks, Longshadow. It's something we don't often see so I thought it would be interesting to share.
UTMike wrote:
Fascinating work, Gary!
Thanks, UTMike. No beauty was wasted on this one!
joecichjr
Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA
sippyjug104 wrote:
This is a focus-stacked image of a Darkling Beetle in its pupa stage. I've also included a graphic image that illustrates the lifecycle of the beetle. Those who have ever had lizards, frogs, or other such animals as pets, may be familiar with the larvae stage referred to as "mealworms" that they used to feed those pets.
If you look closely, you can see the features of the soon-to-be beetle starting to be defined at this stage.
Beautiful and informative 🏆🎖️🏆🎖️🏆
joecichjr wrote:
Beautiful and informative 🏆🎖️🏆🎖️🏆
Thanks, Joe. I wanted to share something that perhaps not everyone has seen...or really given much thought to before which is how magical the insect world truly is. Could you imagine what our lives would be like if we had to go through those stages before we became adults?
kpmac wrote:
What's left to say?
Thanks, Mark. This beetle is quite common although the pupa may be a bit more scarce to find.
sippyjug104 wrote:
Thanks, Joe. I wanted to share something that perhaps not everyone has seen...or really given much thought to before which is how magical the insect world truly is. Could you imagine what our lives would be like if we had to go through those stages before we became adults?
I believe we do go thru these stages but out of sight with X-rays, etc. I have to hand it to you for especially this photo gives us an interesting view of something we would never see without a lab photo. Your photos are really something that should be in a National Geographic magazine. Their staff should contact you.
We go to the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery in 29 Palms, CA which in reality is in Wonder Valley, CA a tiny little settlement to the east. The Smithsonian Magazine contacted the owner asking if they could 'interrogate' her and later wrote a story, <tripadvisor> also has given the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery a ***** (5 Star) rating as a place to go. What if someone contacted you, Sippy, and asked for an interview? Who knows how we as UHHers would be overjoyed!!!
If you would go to AZ and collect some bugs native to AZ someone may contact 'Arizona Highways' and just maybe they would give you a story for all of us.
Also, this photo has made me think a lot more of getting an objector and a reverse lens adapter to get these small photos for others here to see nature in it's micro world!
canonclicker wrote:
I believe we do go thru these stages but out of sight with X-rays, etc. I have to hand it to you for especially this photo gives us an interesting view of something we would never see without a lab photo. Your photos are really something that should be in a National Geographic magazine. Their staff should contact you.
We go to the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery in 29 Palms, CA which in reality is in Wonder Valley, CA a tiny little settlement to the east. The Smithsonian Magazine contacted the owner asking if they could 'interrogate' her and later wrote a story, <tripadvisor> also has given the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery a ***** (5 Star) rating as a place to go. What if someone contacted you, Sippy, and asked for an interview? Who knows how we as UHHers would be overjoyed!!!
If you would go to AZ and collect some bugs native to AZ someone may contact 'Arizona Highways' and just maybe they would give you a story for all of us.
Also, this photo has made me think a lot more of getting an objector and a reverse lens adapter to get these small photos for others here to see nature in it's micro world!
I believe we do go thru these stages but out of si... (
show quote)
Thanks ever so much, Canonclicker. I did this session with an inexpensive 50mm f/2.8 enlarger lens set at f/5.6 which was attached to a bellows. That's it. Nothing special and nothing fancy. The enlarger lenses can be had on eBay for around $60, like the El-Nikon.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175107104616?hash=item28c5325f68:g:9LAAAOSwwORh3tsx as an example. I switch up the optics on my gear, mostly out of just wanting to do something different for a variety of views of my collection.
I've ordered an insect sweep net so that I can gather a variety of insects this spring. The little rascals are good at hiding and far too many are too small for me to see. Sweeping does not hurt them and I am rather specific on what I collect and preserve. It will be a bit embarrassing running through the fields with a long-handled net at first and someone may call the insane asylum to come to get me so if I drop off the radar this spring, you will know what happened to me.
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.