Its time for another update to my Personal Project.
You can check out this post for the more detailed explanation, but essentially my aim with this is to show you some pictures of invertebrates in all their beauty.
Doing macro work like this, and using the black background, keeps the images simple and allows the viewer the chance to admire these gorgeous creatures close up and without any distractions.
I have already posted a selection of these images under different themes such as Spiders and Butterflies, but for this weeks post, I have decided to with Green as a theme:
Green Lacewing - Chrysoperla sp
These Lacewings are relatively delicate looking insects, but don't let that fool you! Both the Adults and the Larvae have a veracious appetite feeding on the aphids in our gardens.
Green Oak Tortrix Moth - Tortrix viridana
A very distinctive green colour, and they usually feed on Oak, hence their name! Unlike the Lacewings who are considered a benefit to gardeners due to their love of Aphids, the Green Oak Tortrix can become a pest in some areas.
Potato Capsid Bug - Closterotomus norwegicus
Next up is this Potato Capsid Bug. It is from the Miridae or Plant Bug family, and its name isn't very helpful as it apparently feeds on plants such as Clovers and Nettles (Source) So does it actually feed on potato plants? Or is it just often found nearby? More research required on that one I think...
Green Tortoise Beetle - Cassida sp
And last but not least we have this fantastic looking Beetle, with a very apt name. It certainly is green, and the tortoise part comes from its defence mechanism. When it feels threatened it will react like a tortoise and retract its antennae and legs so you can barely see it on on a leaf. Its flattened body seamlessly blends onto the leaf it is standing on, as you can imagine from the photo below...
Green Tortoise Beetle - Cassida sp
Once again, I hope you enjoyed the pictures and found this post interesting. Do you have a favourite? My is definitely the Tortoise Beetle, such an interesting looking insect.
All names confirmed and checked via Wikispieces
More of these images can be seen on my Website