The colouration of the Handmaiden moth (Amata nigriceps), and similarly coloured moths, used to confuse me when I was younger, as to whether they were dangerous or not. Now, I can appreciate the beauty of that simple colour combination. Fortunately, one of them flew into the garden at Narooma, where it landed on the wood of a raised garden bed. I managed to get to an angel in front of the orange and black moth without scaring it off, where I took the above shot. I really liked how the moth seemed to be in the process of shaking its head through to its who body, just like a horse would do. This was just one of the photographs that I took when I had a pleasant time over a few months focussing on macro photography at Narooma, trying to capture shots of a number of little creatures. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
When I was a child, we called these type of bugs stink bugs, and they were often on our lemon tree. It was no different in Narooma with a number of these Gum Tree Shield Bug (Poecilometis sp.) on the lemon tree, as well as other fruit trees. They are named for their presence and feeding on eucalyptus trees, despite being very happy on the fruit trees in the garden. They feed on the sap of plants although this one appears to have its proboscis in the pupa of another insect.
Gum Tree Shield Bug (Poecilometis sp.) with prey on a Lilly-pilly leaf
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 125, 100mm, f/18 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
This small Assassin bug (Dicrotelus prolixus) was inside the house and after taking this photograph I carried it outside where I suspected it would have more luck in hunting. It feeds on other insects but even full-grown it was not even two centimetres, so it probably focuses on the smaller insects.
Assassin bug inside the house
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 200, 100mm, f/16 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
I noticed this Mealybug (Pseudococcidae sp.) and attendant ants on the stem of a branch. The ants may have been obtaining sundew from the white-coloured bug because one of the ants appeared to have a drop of liquid in its pincers.
Mealybug (Pseudococcidae sp.) and ants, with a possible drop of sweet liquid
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/18 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
A Honeybrown Beetle (Ecnolagria grandis) was crawling over a leaf, doing its best not to be photographed.
Honeybrown Beetle
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 125, 100mm, f/16 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
The Pittosporum leaf beetle (Lamprolina (genus)) and its larvae are plentiful in the garden. The wing covers of the adult look metallic when you zoom in on these small beetles. They feed on plants, especially the pittosporum, hence the name. I have no problem with these beetles having some plants, we all have to get by.
The larvae look like little caterpillars. Once they are ready to pupate they will climb down to the soil where they will eventually transform into adults.
Pittosporum leaf beetle (Lamprolina (genus))
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/18 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
Pittosporum leaf beetle larvae (Lamprolina (genus))
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 200, 100mm, f/18 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash - two images photo-stacked)
Fungus-eating Ladybird (Illeis galbula) are helpful little creatures, eating fungus that coats some of the plants in the garden.
The larvae looks nothing like the adult but it also enjoys nothing more than a feed of minute fungus on plants.
Fungus-eating Ladybird (Illeis galbula)
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 200, 100mm, f/18 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
Fungus-eating Ladybird (Illeis galbula) larvae
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 200, 100mm, f/18 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash - two images photo-stacked)
The larvae of Eucalyptus variegated beetle (Paropsisterna cloelia) often group together for protection and have the ability to spray a liquid made from the eucalyptus juices in the plant they have been eating. This liquid can kill some insects so it is an effective means of protection. While they did not spray me, when my camera was too close a number of them would raise their bodies to point at me. The black stripe and yellowish colouring shows that these larvae are in their final instar and will soon pupate, and to do so they will crawl down the plant to pupate in the soil.
Eucalyptus variegated beetle larvae
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/180 SEC] and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
This Noctuoid moth (Thalatha melanophrica) was resting on a white fence post. I was able to take several shots of the insect while it remained perfectly still. I liked the front-on image because the large section behind the head resembled an elaborate headdress. Fortunately, I was able to stitch two shots together to give more depth of field to the photo.
Noctuoid moth
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/20 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash - two shots photo-stacked)
This is the same Handmaiden moth (Amata nigriceps) from the top of the post. I thought it was worth including two shots in the post because even a very standard photograph of the moth at rest with its shimmering wings resting is fetching.
Handmaiden moth
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 200, 100mm, f/18 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
There have been a number of these large, Olive-green Coastal Katydids (Austrosalomona falcata) around the place. They make wonderful photographic subjects because they will try to stay still and avoid being seen, even as a greenish-brown insect on a white railing. They are also large, so a macro lens can reveal the wonderful detail. This one probably enjoyed one of our nectarines in the fruit bowl on the kitchen bench at night. There was a neat inverted cone shape drilled into the fruit, and these insects will eat fruit. I moved this one outside because my wife is not as fascinated by insects as I am.
One night I found an immature Olive-green Coastal Katydid resting on a leaf frond. Like the adult its initial action was to remain still, allowing me to take several photos.
Olive-green Coastal Katydid
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/20 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
Olive-green Coastal Katydid nymph
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 200, 100mm, f/20 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
A female Mottled Field Cricket (Lepidogryllus comparatus) also decided to explore the inside of our house. The ovipositor at her back makes it clear this cricket was female.
Mottled Field Cricket female
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/18 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
This Horse Fly (Rutilia lepida) was having a rest on one of the red-leafed plants in the backyard. It was a reasonably large fly, almost 2 centimetres in length and with a metallic green appearance. I took a couple of photographs before moving closer, and kept repeating that process to see how near I could get. The fly let me get very close, and it even stayed stilled when I moved backwards after finishing my photography. I love its shiny, green; especially the way the sun reflected off it. Although some sources called this a horse fly, it is not a pest to large mammals, in fact it lays its eggs on the late instars of scarab beetles.
Horse Fly
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/18 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
While in Narooma, I enjoyed Box Cutting Rainforest Walk again. The first insect I encountered was this Slender Orange Bush Fly (Dichaetomyia norrisi) that was standing on a dead leaf. By approaching it slowly I was able to get close but I had to minimise my movement in checking the back of the camera after each shot, so that I didn’t scare it away.
Slender Orange Bush Fly
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
This Passionvine Hopper (Scolypopa australis) was another find along the rainforest walk. The nymphs of this species suck the sap from plants. Despite its name it is not just found on passion vines but on a variety of plants.
Passionvine Hopper
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 200, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
Heading up towards the end of the rainforest walk I noticed this Common Flatwing (Austroargiolestes icteromelas) poised quietly on a fern. Despite my proximity it stayed perfectly still, even allowing me to photograph it from various angles. This photo shows the short antennas and also the legs that it uses to grasp prey while flying.
Common Flatwing looking at me from a fern
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 200, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash - two shots photo-stacked)
While walking through the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens one afternoon this Australian Emerald (Hemicordulia australiae) was holding onto a small branch. It may have been getting some sun. The dragonfly was very calm and I was able to get very close to photograph it. I only pushed it too far when I attached my Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens to my canon lens and forgot how close I needed to get to focus. In trying to focus on the eye, I pushed the lens closer, not considering that the insect’s wing was outstretched and the lens was so close it was actually pushing on its wingtip. Even the most tolerable insect would have had enough and this one flew way to where it would not be disturbed.
Australian Emerald
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 500, 100mm, f/10 and 1/125 SEC])
Wandering around a backyard I encountered this small Splendid Ochre (Trapezites symmomus) that landed on a plant stem. The plant stem was tall enough so that I could crouch down to photograph the butterfly at eye-level.
Splendid Ochre
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/14 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
Driving along the Kings Highway to the coast, I had to pullover for a comfort stop in the bush at Currowan when I was almost at the bottom of the escarpment. Coincidentally, a tree I walked past had potentially over a hundred caterpillars crawling up from its base. One of the species was a Black Geometrid (Melanodes anthracitaria) caterpillar.
Black Geometrid
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 200, 100mm, f/18 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
In addition, on that tree in Currowan were Sinister Moth (Pholodes sinistraria) caterpillars, indeed there were far more of these brown caterpillars than the green Black Geometrid caterpillars. This one is doing the classic inch-worm pose of “measuring” that gives the Geometrids their name.
Sinister Moth Caterpillar
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 200, 100mm, f/18 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
I am not sure what species this Flat spider is. It was sitting on a rock during the day so I was wondering if it had been disturbed in its hiding place.
Flat spider
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 200, 100mm, f/18 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
I really enjoyed using the Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens on a Daddy-long-legs spider (Pholcus phalangioides). It really brought out some unexpected detail in a spider that appears so uniform in tones when viewed normally. This is not a native spider to Australia but has spread here, as to most parts of the world, with the arrival of humans. It eats insects and other spiders, including its own kind when food is scarce.
Daddy-long-legs spider on a wall
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 160, 100mm, f/18 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
This Humped Silver Orb Spider (Leucauge dromedaria) female was being typical of its kind, hanging beneath its web that was on a slant. It was probably not mature because it was still small.
Humped Silver Orb Spider female
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 200, 100mm, f/16 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
Microphotography continues to provide an opening to the small world that surrounds us. It is fascinating seeing the detail on the small creatures and have an opportunity to see how they interact with their world. Their bodies can be very alien but their structures and tones have an interesting beauty that I am often oblivious to when I gaze at them with my eyes alone.
Thanks for reading this post and thanks also for looking at my photos. I hope you come back again to read more about some of the wonderful natural things that the south coast of New South Wales has on offer. All the best until the next post.