Capturing the image of this wasp made my day. I had seen it flying around from leaf to leaf, and I was hoping that it would settle on one for a while. Eventually it did and I was able to take some photos. To me, the thing that draws your attention is the long, white-tipped tail, which is the ovipositor for this Gasteruptiid wasp female. She will use it to penetrate the cells of solitary bees and wasps, in order to lay her egg beside the host species egg protected in the cell. Her egg, however, will hatch first allowing her offspring to feast on the egg or larvae of the host species. It seems cruel but this wasp has evolved to reproduce that way and is an example of the small world around us humans. This is my favourite photograph among the ones below because it shows the delicate beauty of this wasp and also shows the variety of animal life around us. I hope that you enjoy the photographs below.
Macrophotography also helped me see a gathering of Halicitid bee males on an acacia. Before taking the photograph, my brief glance made me think there was a disease on the plant causing the small fronds to turn brown. It was only after reviewing the image did I realise it was a gathering of bees. For warmth, males will gather together. While this shot was taken in November in the afternoon, it was not a warm day and these bees may have made the right decision.
Tens of Halicitd bee males gather on an acacia plant
(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)
When I noticed these Small Brown Paper Wasps (Ropalidia plebeiana) building a nest on one of our eaves I had hopes of turning it into a project to monitor the activity around the nest. However, the nest mysteriously disappeared after a while. I am not sure if a storm blew it away or an animal stole it. Maybe the wasps just abandoned it. It would have been a hot place to construct a nest on the north facing side of the house, with little protection from the sun. One day, I did see a wasp apparently fanning the nest by gripping the sides with its leg and fluttering its wings as if to fly but directing the wind down like a miniature fan.
Small brown paper wasps and nest
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/16 and 1/180 SEC] with a Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
There are often these large Bristle Flies around. After looking at flies through a macro lens it is hard to see them the same way again because of the detail on their body. While they can be annoying these flies are important in the ecosystem. The adults feed on pollen so they are pollinators, just like bees. More importantly, the adult lays its eggs on living hosts for the larvae to eat alive once hatched. The hosts are are other insects, including those insects that can be harmful to plants like caterpillars and stink bugs.
Bristle Fly
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/14 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
This Yellow Slender Robber Fly (Cerdistus sp.) was well inside the plant but fortunately I was able to get the camera equipment through all the leaves without disturbing it. However, it was fully aware of me. I tried to come around the front to shoot its head but I noticed the fly very subtly shifted its stance to put the branch between it and me. Even if I shifted, it would shift back. I found that behaviour very interesting. I was not enough to make it fly, but it appeared to want to hide from me. This insect is a non-discerning aerial hunter that will take any flying insect that it can hold in its powerful legs.
Yellow Slender Robber Fly
(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)
The Common or pygmy Shutwing (Cordulephya pygmaea) is called that because of its small size and its habit of closing its wings behind it, just like a damselfly, not a dragonfly, which it is.
Common Shutwing
(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 Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
A prowling Orange Assassin Bug (Gminatus australis) had caught its prey, in a very gruesome way, straight into the head. The bug will suck the creature dry. These bugs will eat any insect or spider it can find. They therefore help to stop herbivore insects getting out of control. Unfortunately, it will also eat those insects that are beneficial in the garden.
Orange Assassin Bug with prey
(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)
The Fruit-spotting bug (Amblypelta nitida) is a native Australian insect but it wreaks havoc on introduced fruit crops. It also likes Australia’s macadamia nuts. Adults and young will pierce the skin of fruit with their proboscis to drink the juice leaving a hole in the fruit.
Fruit-spotting Bug
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 500, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
Australian Tortoise Beetles (Trachymela sloanei) feed on eucalyptus trees and have become a pest in Europe and the Americas where it has accidentally arrived and discovered the commercial eucalyptus plantations. It is kind of strange to think about a native Australian animal being a pest in another country, considering how many foreign creatures have caused similar problems in Australia.
Australian Tortoise Beetle
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/18 and 1/125 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
Leaf or tree hoppers are some of the most fascinating little creatures in the garden. They are easy to overlook but come in a variety of guises. Being small, a macro lens is a great way to appreciate them. If they are noticed at all. The trunk of one of the eucalypts in the garden is a great source of these insects. There were several Green-faced Gum Hoppers (Platybrachys decemmacula) on the tree. These hoppers saw my approach and would shuffle away from me.
Green-faced Gum Hopper
(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)
The trunk of the eucalyptus also had several gum hopper nymphs on it, with their incredible appendages. It is not clear what purpose the appendages serve but they must have a purpose given how much energy would have been consumed growing them. They are produced by wax and one study detailed their role in stabilising jumping nymphs.
Gum hopper nymph
(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)
One hopper on the tree only gave away its position when it moved, that was the Giant Leaf Hopper (Ledromorpha planirostris), which seemed to perfectly match the bark. Although the individual in the photograph is probably a nymph. An adult is about 2cm and so far only females have been found.
Giant Leaf Hopper
(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)
Diamond-banded Nymphid (Norfolius howensis) is a lacewing. This insect is a predator and a good one to have in the garden because it will likely go after creatures like aphids.
Diamond-banded Nymphid
(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)
Yellow Admiral (Vanessa itea) butterflies are fast, strong flyers; possibly living for several months. The caterpillars like to feed on nettles, including stinging nettles. They probably self-introduced into New Zealand with the help of a strong wind to help them fly across the Tasman Sea.
Yellow Admiral
(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)
This is another example of where a moth with great camouflage has not made a great choice. This Engrailed Moth (Ectropis (genus)) was on a steel surface and not blending it at all.
Engrailed Moth
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/16 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
The Jumping spiders were having a good time catching prey. I found this one on the brick wall of the house.
Jumping spider with prey
(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 female Threatening Jumping Spider (Helpis minitabunda) had caught a fly that was almost as large as itself. In this species the female is smaller than the male. In addition, the male has long forelegs so that he can reach over the female to tap her head as a way to determine to see if she will mate. The spider gets its common name from its Latin name, which means threatening or brave. That is because it will turn to face a human, even appearing to rear up. This is good news for macrophotograhers, allowing for close photography.
Threatening Jumping Spider and its prey
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/18 and 1/125 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
The wonderfully named Jovial Jumping Spider (Apricia jovialis) had caught a meal, possibly even another spider. I was very happy with the reflection in the eyes.
Jovial Jumping Spider and prey
(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)
Hidden in the shadow of a leaf an Orb-weaver Spider resting, probably waiting until dark to construct a web. This spider may have also been a male and was potentially going to search for a female at night.
Orb-weaver Spider in its day-time retreat
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/16 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
Macrophotography allows us to view the small world that is always around us. Even though the animals are small they are part of the larger ecosystem and they have roles to play in that ecosystem. Whether they are pollinators or animals that eat plant pests they have evolved along side all the components so their demise would risk unbalancing the wider ecosystem.
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 Australian Capital Territory has on offer. All the best until the next post.