https://johnhallmen.se/work daily 0.75 2013-08-30 https://johnhallmen.se/gallery-index daily 0.75 2013-03-18 https://johnhallmen.se/more daily 0.75 2014-07-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084645893-1D8IXW6VD5TM1V04JPYM/3931215558_29a3f652b8_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081782698-NDMUC76IY84657VFRMO8/12324859923_42531e84e7_o.jpg more - Oxyptilus   Oxyptilus sp. (ID-cred: H. Elmqvist) Body length: 8 mm Early morning stack of this small plume moth. This was actually another case in which I employed the local stacking technique described in a recent post (see this youtube clip:youtu.be/CVxL_vk6CZU ) 28 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 2X, 1/8s, f/6.3, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084647171-B7YPCBFP718RN3FUVCQO/3951318248_cb09fd5393_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084649953-UKNDSPZG787VRSRWW9P4/3984252009_3a27899df4_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084649500-C6U8DLI7GEYRAEJGSQ9Z/3984830912_03fda661a6_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084652223-Y25DRMWCTU3CYEGQUTXE/3990029525_1f2e594b74_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084656163-6XOE7MZ88PT3Z13S6QN3/4040876480_87b9a34976_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084658491-ALAXG2KBUUII29GGPMR8/4196877365_599ec9934e_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084660073-TELUJEZRJM2CJQ2J7TF5/4198305124_990ac12a72_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084660856-A67D57QNO9GFC4BLHSKV/4202615519_2eab544536_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084663803-KZXFL9PPI3B6LOEY0CKE/4203537454_c85cf66a39_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084670540-U38Y2GU4SS3PKQMBYOQG/4205348697_29d722bc69_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084671133-FG26UO0DGM8RKWT0W5EK/4206216502_4cf6a1270b_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084673153-K8U1WYI55MXNZ8FF1O0K/4206514741_21c75e52c2_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084673272-8HMPZJI50AWWYFK08SOO/4215529231_d7660873ca_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084678246-KLAO3Q8A2MC800KOJ8IA/4256278543_cf659023c8_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084687541-M9LMPG7BAMTPMEKG8SJB/4256297483_822c2ec117_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084690774-DSI0AINANRJ22KD2C025/4256307919_4c1ca317ed_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084693203-3KTYXSM102L2PI4BSV4Q/4257004120_a696a7de53_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084693435-RUXX94W75IWANHWYSPAM/4260697568_bb5b8504a4_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084695087-0PZ0PL5XV94BOQ5VDYLN/4404592388_e03810ac55_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084694855-G4V5H7PPQQSXYRENO5ZV/4406492687_10d22f76b3_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084699625-T4H01GQFYOFYIJA0ELEY/4601101252_951815905c_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084703941-X8JFKV21VJNH4RG2SDY1/4636396306_d89ce8f57e_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084705701-2310599R7FQ7Y569Q5GV/4636678842_a9c8064696_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084708713-QJH5LBT2T6ZTWOHOBT1I/4639339560_66b56cef85_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084711891-2P0C6FNR9JWDC93HUEHQ/4646811639_bb04421815_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084718827-1BBLHZRR1Z6YDK3SE7KQ/4646877303_9deddd7b65_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084722049-H30LL9VJ7YMKHSIC6MB1/4691252849_affdb40922_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084726153-OVU7ZN1JTDFEUPHV9TYR/4742296674_e8d8b1fef1_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081798319-LB6DN4EZ1BYF4PW66J5Z/12274542206_423c52019b_o.jpg more - Cylindromyia   Cylindromyia sp., Tachinidae Size: 7,5 mm The parasitic flies in this genus are quite elegant. This was a rather small specimen. 32 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker (last one stopped down considerably). Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 4.3X, 1/4s, f/5, ISO200 (last exposure: f/13) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082625159-0ZN5TFO3T5VJ4H8W9CZH/7644589020_c4ccc3aa8f_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082667166-UH6COY0SL1FU75J0BQR2/7101592103_9217da12c1_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405083495356-EIE0MJMQXK416SXOKXU7/5933073819_5a85bba241_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405083693938-1SGMEKEG2W9BDJP0D44F/5905041727_62edf8a699_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405083815834-UO2IFX1UTPYGCN5MYIRB/5828573592_118e529202_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405083897310-N6EIYPTDQV0RZFJTBUQM/5639606933_076007ee52_o.jpg more 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https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084600283-BYXZHFKJ0Y1BQ1R6154C/3707424676_24d756cdd5_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084601316-YFVPRSNOQZPGWHB3EX9I/3707577163_c0fa05efc8_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084642841-9JIK9LBU0IPFHLAYRODZ/3925917230_85f293d56b_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081855870-RQYLNNDRRMEWTD9O9ZCQ/11950088246_4a85132539_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084031858-VUHPNVG0E0DSJYJBN1ZT/5379235010_a609dd706d_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084054183-OL82MM03UROR3XH2BTW6/5206044585_a3b6b2a9b2_o.jpg more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084114720-7HH9UA8505DTHAH4NMFP/5027049000_887833a3b9_o.jpg more https://johnhallmen.se/most-recent daily 1.0 2026-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1772202624967-O1BM6LFWZSF3J4HATPDM/image-asset.jpeg recent - Blue Ground Beetle Carabus intricatus, Bokskogslöpare This beetle is very rare in Sweden and, until @stanislavsnaell made this remarkable discovery, it was only known from a few locations in Skåne (southern part of Sweden, almost 500km south of this find). Since 2010, we’ve made several attempts at finding and photographing a live specimen (first find was a dead specimen caught in a trap rigged by Stanislav in 2007). In 2020 we were finally able to find and photograph this species for the first time at this northern latitude! On the blog (makrofokus.se) you can read more about it (in Swedish but the bots do a good enough job with the translation). The blue ground beetle is protected by law in Sweden. Touch it and you’re committing a crime. This means you need to be really careful when photographing it and make sure you don’t disturb it more than necessary. Since large ground beetles like these are unusually long lived as adults they can sustain a population even if their numbers are relatively low. This in turn means each individual specimen counts (and regulation like this even more relevant). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1772202624967-O1BM6LFWZSF3J4HATPDM/image-asset.jpeg recent - Blue Ground Beetle Carabus intricatus, Bokskogslöpare This beetle is very rare in Sweden and, until @stanislavsnaell made this remarkable discovery, it was only known from a few locations in Skåne (southern part of Sweden, almost 500km south of this find). Since 2010, we’ve made several attempts at finding and photographing a live specimen (first find was a dead specimen caught in a trap rigged by Stanislav in 2007). In 2020 we were finally able to find and photograph this species for the first time at this northern latitude! On the blog (makrofokus.se) you can read more about it (in Swedish but the bots do a good enough job with the translation). The blue ground beetle is protected by law in Sweden. Touch it and you’re committing a crime. This means you need to be really careful when photographing it and make sure you don’t disturb it more than necessary. Since large ground beetles like these are unusually long lived as adults they can sustain a population even if their numbers are relatively low. This in turn means each individual specimen counts (and regulation like this even more relevant). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1770477650387-M6R52GR2VMBO6LAHK208/image-asset.jpeg recent - Cistogaster globosa, Tachinidae, 4.5mm Parasitic fly, Parasitfluga A very small and relatively common species of parasitic fly. Its host is the Bishop's-mitre Shieldbug, Aelia acuminata (mindre spetsnäsa). There is pronounced sexual dimorphism in this species where only the males have the golden/orange coloration. See comment section for a female and some additional imagery. Nackareservatet, Stockholm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1770630243158-MPN9E0TSHQPBLWGABUZP/image-asset.jpeg recent - Musk Beetle Aromia moschata Myskbock Handheld, natural light + diffused flash https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1769356974194-MR0JYLAPPWAS6EKLPSM2/image-asset.jpeg recent - Tricky Robber Eutolmus rufibarbis, male Golden-tabbed robberfly 20 mm I find these grayish robberflies to be quite tricky to ID. In this case, Machimus rusticus is very similar but doesn’t have these purely black legs and has a slightly wider eye-separation. Philonicus albiceps is also similar but lacks the ”golden tuft” on sternite 8 (male feature). July 9th Byrum, Öland, Sweden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1769356567748-OI8EPA0NID244GTBYQKX/image-asset.jpeg recent - Southern Bristletail Dilta hibernica Swe: Stensmyg These guys have been around, with very little change, for 400 million years. Beat that humans! Björkhagen, Stockholm, Sweden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1769356354778-2YIULTU2J6BDZMCVGP6Q/image-asset.jpeg recent - Dolichopodidae take-off Neurigona quadrifasciata Stilt-legged fly Swe: styltfluga Single exposure with flash in strobe-mode (90Hz) Almost two decades ago I noticed these flies are extremely fast. Perhaps, more to the point: their reaction time is super short! I realized this by coincidence when trying to shoot them with my regular setup at the time. I used a diffused TTL-flash and typically got good results. However – this species, mysteriously posed a problem! They’re quite common and I kept encountering them but for some reason I never managed to get a picture of them. I often thought “for sure I did it this time”, but when reviewing the image on the camera display it was always empty. Every single time the fly happened to get out of the frame between me pressing the shutter and the image being taken. Eventually I realized what the problem was: they were triggered by the pre-flash, used for TTL-metering, 1/10s before the actual exposure (not discernable for us humans) and their reaction time and speed was fast enough to get out of the frame before the actual exposure! The solution was simple: put the flash in manual mode no pre-flash)! Suddenly my hit-rate was as expected! I realized I could use the fact that this species was triggered by a flash to my advantage: setting the flash to strobe-mode (sometimes called “multi”) and dialing down the exposure speed would capture a nice take-off sequence in a single frame. I got some very useful results! This image shows my attempt at revisiting this approach a few years ago, with more modern equipment. I used 1/6s, f11, ISO64 here. I want to add that this image required processing! It’s still just a single image but I’ve used modern masking features to apply localized contrast/adjustments to counteract the “false transparency” that otherwise would dominate the impression of this image. The flash fires multiple times during the exposure: each time capturing the fly in a new position, but meanwhile the background stays the same. This will cause the fly to appear slightly transparent. By applying localized contrast this transparency-effect is minimized. #macro#insect#dolichopodidae https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1727093142752-UDZY2QAAY7D5WFWGBW71/image-asset.jpeg recent - Eristalinus sepulchralis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1734715443191-BABK4K3DDXQKYMMXKWUP/image-asset.jpeg recent - Saperda carcharias https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1769783047136-H8SEY0PKCYKIUDQUK4MX/image-asset.jpeg recent - Bedstraw Hawkmoth Caterpillar Hyles gallii Swe: Brunsprötad skymningssvärmare (larv) First image (Sweden/Öland) shows a large specimen (close to pupation) in its defense position. Fairly typcal for hawk moths: when lightly disturbed they often strike this pose. If the attacker insist, they fall to the ground and curve their body in a U shape from side to side in a surprisingly rapid and powerful way. I’ve often seen them do this when attacked by birds such as white wagtails. Second image (Sweden/Stockholm) is a close-up of the horn at the rear end of a caterpillar of the same species, but a lighter and slightly smaller specimen. Many hawk-moth caterpillars have similar horns and are sometimes colloquially referred to as ”hornworms”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1734715592296-RKSJFPJQULT30C226GVD/image-asset.jpeg recent - Cerura vinula https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1727092646857-J5BWS2RTAVXP5UNY8S2J/image-asset.jpeg recent - Damsel pop-art https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1727092819948-8UBXJD00AZ4YYYDJ6E57/image-asset.jpeg recent - Stag beetle Lucanus cervus https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1727092927964-D1R0ZHJHJ5T4Q7DEVPXC/image-asset.jpeg recent - Sciomyzid with host Tetanocera cf. robusta and Succinea putris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1516053829238-6DTVO0CFNSJPUZZOX4SX/_MG_0597-Redigera-Redigera-Redigera-2.jpg recent - Puss moth caterpillar Cerura vinula Puss moth caterpillar 70mm This puss moth caterpillar was climbing up one of the countless shrub like balsam poplars girding the beach in Byrum, Öland. I shot this with the DIY macro-fisheye rig based on a CCTV lens relayed through a reversed Canon 24/2.8 STM (described earlier). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1516054208888-OOWQUEL8TSIBBI6VIOZ6/husmask-Redigera-5.jpg recent - Caddisfly Larva (studio) Trichoptera 30mm   Studio image of a nest building caddisfly larva. This is one of the pioneer species in a pond I've been engaged in building in the nature reserve right next to where I live. Stacked from 119 exposures in Zerene Stacker (dead, prepared specimen). Sony NEX-7, Canon MP-E65, two Jansjö LED-lamps https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1516054003923-6AE2LYLIJOXK5JPKNUHZ/retouched+8113-8136-1-Redigera-Redigera-Redigera-Redigera.jpg recent - Prosena   Prosena siberita, Tachinidae Size: 8 mm Parasitic fly perched on Laserpitium latifolium. This species has such an elegant proboscis ("tongue")! If you're familiar with stinging flies like the tse-tse fly you might suspect P. siberita of having similarly annoying habits. However, this species is a perfectly harmless nectar feeder! Of course, if you're a beetle larva you might disagree since these flies parasitize the larvae of scarab beetles! Stacked from 35 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 760D, Canon MP-E65 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1516054330013-7CJTT2XKYPUGUYODIBF2/retouched+5043-5098-2-Redigera.jpg recent - Juvenile Raft Spider Dolomedes fimbriatus 8 mm Early morning stack of this brightly colored raft spider juvenile. The sun was coming up behind the subject and the backlighting brought out the colors. It kept moving slightly so it took many failed attempts until I got a useable sequence. Stacked from 59 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 760D, Sigma 180/3.5, Kenko PRO300 2X converter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1516054428814-08OZ50YZ7PQHJ324WOJF/retouched+8470-8517-2-Redigera-5.jpg recent - Snipe fly Rhagio tringarius ♂ (ID-cred: M. Persson) 14 mm Stacked from 54 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 760D + Canon MP-E65 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1481192508359-WWXBFJ8NO0G2SEALREJX/pussmoth-3000sharper.jpg recent - Puss Moth Caterpillar Cerura vinula Size: 75 mm I'm always so happy to find these charming caterpillars! Their fake eye spots gets me every time even though I'm well aware of the deception. I used my DIY macro fisheye setup here and the front element is just a centimeter or so from the subject. So it's not surprising that the caterpillar is showing off it's typical threat display. Canon 760D + CCTV-lens relayed through a reversed Canon 24/2.8 STM. Diffused flash (Canon 270EX). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1480020643718-7FUQ9XG7ZSALG1XKJWEQ/retouched+3185-3207-Redigera.jpg recent - Dewy Footman Eilema sp., Lithosiini 18-20 mm I would have ignored this drab little moth unless I really liked how the morning sun lit up the grass spike it was perched on. For me, it serves as a reminder that every now and then, the least striking of subjects can be worth some attention. I was amused to learn the English common name for this group of moths. Apparently it refers to the the muted clothing of "footmen" – a term that has been applied to household servants, infantry soldiers etcetera. Even if the reference is a bit dated, it seems apt and somewhat humorous which makes it easy to remember! Stacked from 56 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 760D, Canon MP-E65 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1473515366047-H4UVAL61RSGG475LA8W1/_MG_0271-Redigera-2-2.jpg recent - Dinner has landed... ...or "Game Over", depending on which one you identify with. Xysticus bifasciatus with Dasypoda hirtipes (spider-ID cred: T. Holmgren) A female crab spider with its dinner: a mining bee! This was shot with the experimental super wide angle setup I mentioned in a previous post. I'll elaborate on this gear in a future article! Single mixed light exposure (natural light + diffused flash) Canon 760D + DIY wide angle contraption + Canon 270EX. EXIF-data does not tell the full story. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1479228809933-P84RJFIT11DYXQJV99ON/retouched+1186-1203-Redigera.jpg recent - Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa 35 mm This is one of the most common damselfly species in the late summer on my favorite location. The warm yellow tones suggests that this may be a female but apparently coloration is not a reliable way to sex this species – you need to look at the tip of the abdomen to be sure. Thanks Stephen for pointing this out! Stacked from 18 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 760D + Canon MP-E65 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1478434256110-DKLKKM388CUWWQZZDBLB/_MG_9904-Redigera-Redigera.jpg recent - Toad Portrait Bufo bufo, Common Toad Size: ~ 80 mm I love toads. They always seem so laid-back and content. This specimen made a habit of hopping up the stairs of our porch every night, to feed on moths attracted by the light. This is a single shot made with my experimental DIY macro-fisheye rig that I've elaborated on in a recent post. Canon 760D, cctv-lens, reversed Canon 24/2.8 STM, Canon 270EX + diffuser. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1477823409982-91I04DLZG40UOIK2L5DP/retouched+0899-0925-1-Redigera.jpg recent - Common Wasp ♂ ♂ Vespula vulgaris 15 mm The long antennae means that you don't need to worry about getting stung! Only male wasps have these long antennae and since stingers are "modified" ovipositors they are absent in males. This one was found as it was waking up on flowering field garlic Allium oleraceum an early morning in August. Stacked from 36 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 760D, Canon MP-E65 @ 0.8s, f/6.3, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1477823319289-V4GRMHOURG949PAUFWCK/retouched+4220-4231-3-Redigera-2-Redigera.jpg recent - Mayfly ♂ Ephemeroptera, working on a more precise ID 8 mm What may look like a pink helmet are actually specialized eyes, only present in male mayflies. Citing wikipedia these upward facing "turban eyes" are sensitive to UV-light and thought to help males detect females flying above them during courtship. This species lacks the long elegant tail whiskers found in most mayfly species, but I still find it to be a beautiful animal. I'm always at a loss when it comes to narrowing down the ID with these – suggestions are most welcome! Stacked from 12 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 760D, Canon MP-E65 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1476120400386-7VVUA308UTLJTL0D3CWE/retouched+3019-3148-Redigera-Redigera.jpg recent - Studio stack: Nocturnal Predator Carabus violaceus Size: 25 mm Studio portrait of this relatively large and abundant species. Found this specimen dead but well preserved underneath the bark of a large tree stump. Stacked from 176 exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 760D, Canon MP-E65, diffused LED-spotlight, Cognisys Stackshot https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1475843114713-CXYKLH6TZ0CAMGJUZYPL/retouched+1541-1596-1-Redigera.jpg recent - Gymnosoma Gymnosoma sp. Tachinidae Size: 6 mm I'm always happy to find these compact colorful parasitic flies. There are a few very similar species and I have to check with the experts if it's possible to tell which one this is from the images. Stacked from 56 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 760D, Canon MP-E65 @ 1/4s, f/5.6, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1475532835581-MOM69Z72INGIEEJJHKSH/retouched+3091-3121-Redigera-Redigera.jpg recent - Pine Beauty Panolis flammea Size: 18 mm A beautiful moth that lives on pine. Common name: pine beauty! Sometimes even non-scientific names make sense :) Stacked from 31 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Minolta Bellows, Summar 12cm f/4.5. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1475532900877-T6R5MQWWH4IWVINNLZE1/hedfiltbi-3000.jpg recent - ♂ Red-thighed Epeolus ♂ Epeolus cruciger (ID-cred: K. Larsson) 6.5 mm These tiny but beautiful bees are cleptoparasites that utilize plasterer bees (Colletes) as hosts. Please see comment section for some additional photos of this bee and its host. Stacked from 6 handheld exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 760D, Canon MP-E65, Canon 270EX + DIY-diffuser. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1474960987273-V0WI1KP5ZX0HAGV3BBFR/retouched+6704-6709-1-Redigera-Redigera-2.jpg recent - Rhino-beetle Oryctes nasicornis, European rhinoceros beetle, 32 mm Article describing the experimental wide-angle setup used for this: http://makrofokus.se/blogg/2016/9/22/diy-makro-fisheye.html https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1472480155846-54JGX44QZXJ0TM3HR8WQ/retouched+4000-4018-Redigera-Redigera-Redigera-Redigera-Redigera-3.jpg recent - Cuddly Cuckoo Wasps Holopyga generosa Size: 7 mm It's raining today so I'm finally breaking my long summer hiatus! Sleeping cuckoo wasps are always a pleasure to find during early morning sessions. I think of these as loners as you typically just encounter solitary specimens but apparently there are exceptions! Stacked from 19 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 760D, Canon MP-E65 @ 0.3s, f/5.6, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1473236009200-SVP739OHQX3L8FZ2780W/retouched+3375-3429-Redigerab.jpg recent - Camouflage! Aegomorphus clavipes 15 mm Early morning stack of this well camouflaged long horn beetle on a birch. Stacked from 55 natural light exposures in Zerene stacker. Canon 760D, Canon 100mm f/2.8 @ 0.4s, f/7.1 , ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1468058907818-A4D27OKT5A93OCYIUEGH/DMap+8188-8229-Redigera-Redigera-Redigera-2.jpg recent - 8-spotted Jewel II Buprestis octoguttata Eight spotted jewel beetle 11 mm A dorsal view of this elegant jewel beetle perched on a pine twig. It's the same specimen I posted a lateral portrait of a few weeks ago. 43 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Sigma 180/3.5 + Kenko 2X PRO300 converter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1468059088305-VJ6EU1SPY4PM5Z9FYHUR/retouched+8091-8116-Redigera-2-Redigera.jpg recent - 8-spotted jewel Buprestis octoguttata Eight spotted jewel beetle 11 mm Early morning stack of this metallic jewel beetle. Shot an early morning in August 2015. Stacked from 26+1 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 3.9X, f/5.6, 1.6s, ISO200 + one (last) exposure at f/11, 6s. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1468059290337-FOIKUMESF0X3Y478IEQ9/retouched+1581-1623-1-Redigera-Redigera.jpg recent - Studio stack: Phoretic Mite Uropoda cf. orbicularis (Uropodidae) on Aphodius prodromus Size≈ 0.7 mm Like I mentioned in my previous post the little dung beetle came with an interesting bonus species. The round reddish formation is the second larval stage of a Uropoda mite. These deutonymphs attach themselves to insects such as this dung beetle via a stalk like structure called a pedicel. Here you can see the ventral side of the mite larva. Though it's very "streamlined" in this stage, it's possible to make out legs and palps if you look closely. This is not a parasitic relationship, but strictly phoretic. In other words, the mites does not feed on the insects they attach themselves to, but only use them for dispersal/transportation. This was shot in the studio and stacked from 89 exposures of a dead and cleaned subject. Sony NEX-7, Mitutoyo M Plan Apo 10X 0.28, morfanon tube lens, Nikon PB-6 bellows, Cognisys Stackshot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1468059172735-XXAKN8EZAHEH8I4W9YJI/_MG_0437-Redigera-Redigera-2.jpg recent - Lesser glow worm (larva) Phosphaenus hemipterus 10 mm This is the larva of the lesser glow worm. My first encounter with this species! In spite of its name, it's a beetle. In contrary to its larger relative the "Common glow worm" (Lampyris noctiluca) this, slightly smaller species does not produce a bioluminescent glow in order to attract a mate but only if it feels threatened. This is two handheld exposures manually pieced together in Photoshop for a slight increase in depth of field. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 (@ 3.3X), Canon 270 EX + DIY beautydish diffuser. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1468059442808-UQBSEFRGIQ5972S46KTE/retouched+0698-0729-Redigera-Redigera-2.jpg recent - Long hover ♂ Sphaerophoria scripta, long hoverfly 7 mm This time of year this is one of the most common insects at my favorite location. As such, they are easily overlooked but they make nice subjects. Stacked from 37 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 2.2X, f/7.1, 1/8s, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1463526320652-1WF5DVWYZLSMZZKW2NR7/retouched+6331-6358-Redigera-Redigera.jpg recent - Curculio Curculio cf. venosus Size: 7-8 mm Early morning stack of this long snouted weevil on a tiny acorn. I'm not 100% it's C. venosus – partly because this specimen seems to have been through some rough times with lots of its dorsal hairs appear to have been rubbed off and some kind of mud has adhered to its elytra and legs. Shot in mid July 2015 and stacked from 28 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Canon MP-E65 @ 1/4s, f/7.1, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1468059523183-IXDYDCPN926AYG19CXYJ/retouched+4632-4645-1-Redigera-Redigera-2.jpg recent - Female Macropis Macropis europaea 9 mm Early morning stack of this female Macropis bee. Stacked from 27 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7 + Canon MP-E65 @ f/6.3, 1/8s, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1463526187306-9TFR93YCHKHGXLRO6H71/retouched+8889-8979-Redigera-2-Redigera.jpg recent - Studio stack: Another Temnostoma Temnostoma bombylans ♀ 14 mm In my previous post I showed a Temnostoma vespiforme that had hatched from a piece of birch wood I had brought into my terrarium a few weeks ago. I later found another, smaller Temnostoma species dead in my terrarium. It turned out to be T. bombylans and this is a studio portrait of a female specimen. In many cases a portrait like this is enough to be able to determine the sex of a hoverfly – females generally have a wider separation between the eyes whereas in males the eyes tend to connect above the antennae. Shot in the studio and stacked from 107 exposures of a dead/prepared specimen in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Nikon PB-6 bellows, Mitutoyo M Plan Apo 5X, morfanon tube lens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1463526099086-3Q7R7R7NNS7MGBPSDYPX/retouched+0188-0201-Redigera-Redigera-2.jpg recent - Studio stack: Temnostoma Temnostoma vespiforme, Syrphidae Size: 17 mm This relatively large wasp-like hoverfly hatched in my terrarium a few weeks ago. A month earlier I had brought in a nice piece of moss covered birch wood from the woods and apparently it contained a couple of Syrphid pupae. I considered releasing it outside after shooting a few handheld flash shots of it, but it's been unseasonably cold and it wouldn't have lasted long so I figured I could just as well keep it and make this studio portrait of it once it expired. This is a dead and prepared specimen stacked from 183 exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Mitutoyo M Plan Apo 5X/0.14, morfanon tube lens, Nikon PB-6 bellows. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1461658903170-ZA361QJJR4PVUOA353E2/retouched+4845-4865-ny-Redigera-4.jpg recent - Metellina ♂ Metellina segmentata ♂ Size: 5 mm (body) A fully grown male specimen of this species which I assume to be M. mengei due to the fact that it was found in September 2015. Stacked from 20 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Sigma 180/3.5 + Kenko PRO 300 2X teleconverter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1461584501639-VU8OA2UXSOJSVYNDIK6M/retouched+3407-3431-1-Redigera-Redigera-Redigera.jpg recent - Hippodamia septemmaculata Hippodamia septemmaculata 5 mm Rummaging through my archives I stumbled upon this ladybird that I didn't quite recognize. When I shot it I assumed it was a variant of H. tredecimpunctata (which I've seen several times on this location) but I'm glad I had a second look. Stacked from 44 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 3.7X, f/4.5 (+ a few @f/7.1), 0.6s https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1461584362103-FOPNJOOHOQR0CMU8XIX1/_DSC7309-Redigera-Redigera-Redigera-Redigera-2.jpg recent - Grumpy? Tipulidae, larva 24 mm This image shows the peculiar rear end of a crane fly larva. So what may appear like a face is in fact... well, the opposite, or the "spiracular area" to be precise. Crane fly larvae breathe through the posterior spiracles and most species have various protrusions ("lobes") surrounding the spiracular area. Single shot @ 5X made with Sony NEX-7 and Zeiss Luminar 25mm f/3.5 + diffused flash (Meike MK-300). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1461584180920-YGGXU0HCTG4P7X2X53YR/retouched+5184-5206-Redigera-3.jpg recent - Morning Stretch II Machimus atricapillus ♀, Asilidae 15 mm The previous post featured a slender robberfly in its typical stretched out pose. And here is another species displaying one of its most characteristic morning pose! For some reason Machimus-species seem to prefer this head-down-abdomen-up sleeping position. The fly remained very still and gave me the ability of trying out several different angles rendering various backgrounds and lightings. This was stacked from 23 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Sigma 180/3.5 + Kenko PRO300 2X converter. According to the exif, the aperture was f/13 but this is slightly misleading – the nominal aperture is f/6.3. The reason for this discrepancy is the teleconverter which prompts the camera to report some kind of effective aperture (but it's not even that, since magnification is not considered, so I consider it to be a pseudo-effective-aperture-value) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1457029287373-GCM7D1VCNSJBJ4MRTNHI/image-asset.jpeg recent - On a Burnt Pine Trunk Choerades gilvus Size: 17 mm This robberfly was found on the bark of a large burnt pine tree an early morning in October 2015. It's from one of my visits to a huge forest fire area in central Sweden (I've mentioned it before in my stream). I'm fascinated by the metallic flake shimmer of the burnt bark. Stacked from 27 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Sigma 180/3.5. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1453466156089-DB9DNIFG7VMJZFHT3ME0/image-asset.jpeg recent - Female Fallbeetle on Thrift Cryptocephalus sericeus 7 mm Thrift flowers (Armeria maritima) definitely seem to be a favorite among this species. Early morning stack from 38 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 0.6s, f/5.6, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1456212751608-PLNLW4FSM0JRI97IT9NM/DMap+7178-7213-Redigera-Redigera-4.jpg recent - Stag Beetle on Ice Lucanus cervus , Lucanidae, Stag beetle Size: 42 mm Ok, here's the story of how Swedish roadkill became a 4 ton ice sculpture in Canada: Last summer I was contacted by a PR-agency working to promote an exhibit at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa. They were specifically looking for an up close portrait of a stag beetle since these would be featured in the exhibition. I was on vacation and didn't have access to my library so I wasn't sure I would be able to provide them with it. This was in August which means stag beetles, while relatively common at the location, were well past their peak (early-mid July) so I had little hope of actually finding one. Coincidentally I stumbled across a squashed specimen on a road just hours later. It looked pretty bad from above but the underside of the front portion was intact, so I cobbled together a simple studio setup on the porch, got to work and sent over the image you see here. They decided to go ahead with it and we made a licensing agreement. It all went along quickly and smoothly and I must confess I'd forgotten about it when, yesterday, I got an email from the agency who just wanted to let me know that the stag beetle had been turned into a 9000 lbs ice sculpture! I think the sculpture is way cooler than the image (pun or not). See comment section on flickr for images! I want to give kudos to clients who're able to take full advantage of the "unlimited use" clause! Stacked from 35 images in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Sigma 180/3.5, Kenko PRO300 2X. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1456212632708-2EVN4E49FGW3CL98LUXJ/image-asset.jpeg recent - Leaf-Cutter Bee ♂ Megachile willughbiella Size: 8-9 mm Early morning portrait of a dew covered leaf-cutter bee resting on a grass spike. Stacked from 47 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Canon MP-E65 @ 0.4s, f/6.3, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1453466337536-MP6NEGL5V2BK4NO2L7S4/image-asset.jpeg recent - Gaurotes on Chamomile Gaurotes virginea 10 mm Early morning stack of this relatively small longhorn beetle on a closed chamomile (Matricaria recutita) flower. Stacked from 66 natural light eexposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Canon MP-E65 @ 0.4s, f/6.3, ISO100 https://johnhallmen.se/studio-stacks daily 0.75 2026-02-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1446625909823-TZGQDAC4W06R0GSL2MKE/image-asset.jpeg studio - Studio stack: Head louse Pediculus capitis (Pediculus humanus capitis), (Pediculidae) human head louse 2.5 mm This year in March my son finally came through with some head lice! Here is one of them (I think it's a female). Stacked from 146 exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Mitutoyo M Plan Apo 10X/0.28, morfanon, Nikon PB-6 bellows. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1446625909823-TZGQDAC4W06R0GSL2MKE/image-asset.jpeg studio - Studio stack: Head louse Pediculus capitis (Pediculus humanus capitis), (Pediculidae) human head louse 2.5 mm This year in March my son finally came through with some head lice! Here is one of them (I think it's a female). Stacked from 146 exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Mitutoyo M Plan Apo 10X/0.28, morfanon, Nikon PB-6 bellows. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081858430-FSVJ1QAPPFMLR4WBPIVH/11904285443_d82d27135b_o.jpg studio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081864585-SHB43I7H84D89XIF27N1/11887937064_09bb55f831_o.jpg studio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1446626136239-QLPG7J0T97EK7YJGBWEY/image-asset.jpeg studio - Studio stack: Bed Bug Bed bug, Cimex lectularius, Cimicidae Size: 5 mm This is newly fed specimen – engorged with my blood (its last meal before freezing/preparation). This is a species even devout bug fanatics are a bit wary of. Not because they are dangerous (they are not) but if you get them in your home they can be extremely difficult to get rid of. Especially since they've become resistant against pretty much every pesticide we've come up with (at least disregarding the ones that are not safe for use in a human home). I had a few of these "charming fellows" sent to me from the University of Sheffield (thanks Michael!). Only after they'd ensured me that their line of Cimex had spent so many generations in the lab that they had forgotten "how to bedbug". And even if they did recall it somehow, they were still sensitive to even our weakest pesticides. So I kept them in the fridge for a few months and fed them a couple of times. I'll add a few shots of a feeding specimen in the comment section. This was shot and stacked in 2010 – just realized I never got around to posting it. Stacked from 239 exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Nikon PB-6 bellows, morfanon tube lens, Mitutoyo M Plan Apo 10/0.28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1420134579454-4QH8CRKZYLB3OXT6I29T/image-asset.jpeg studio - Earthworm in the studio II Lumbricidae (Unknown species) Size ≈ 40 mm This is a studio portrait of a relatively small earthworm. Stacked in Zerene Stacker from 40 exposures. 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This dead/prepared specimen was borrowed from a friend's collection. This is was shot in the studio with darkfield style lighting (light coming from behind). See the comment section on flickr for more info! Stacked from 160 exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Nikon PB-6 bellows, Mitutoyo M Plan Apo 5X 0,14, morfanon tube lens.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1421660342891-I9CUGV2BI6X6AQEWQKFT/image-asset.jpeg studio - Studio stack: Ceruchus eye, 20X Ceruchus chrysomelinus ♂ (Lucanidae) Size: 16 mm (field of view: 1.5 mm) This is a 20X view of the eye of this stag beetle. I found the pitted texture surrounding the eye to be particularly interesting. This species is very rare here in Sweden (I'm yet to find one in the field). This specimen was borrowed from Stanislav's collection (collected by him in the eastern part of the Czech Republic). It's been featured at lower magnification in a couple of earlier posts. Stacked from 156 exposures in Zerene Stacker. Shot at ≈20X and slightly cropped. Canon 5DmkII, Nikon PB-6 bellows, Apo-Gerogon 210/9 (acting as tube lens), Mitutoyo M Plan Apo 20/0.42 microscope objective   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1418476934174-YDTQOMB0J7T140I2TE50/image-asset.jpeg studio - Studio stack: Long-jawed orb weaver Studio stack: Pachygnatha clercki ♂, Tetragnathidae Size: 6 mm (inlcuding chelicerae) Posting this studio stacked image taken in early 2012 to celebrate that my book "Bugs Up Close" is now available in English from Amazon and elsewhere: www.amazon.com/Bugs-Up-Close-Magnified-Incredible/dp/1629... I haven't seen the English print version yet, but can only hope the print/production quality is on par with the Swedish, Finnish and Danish editions. ** This little spider was found in the winter while searching for hibernating bugs (two years ago). I shot it in the field as documented in this video clip from the occasion: youtu.be/EpbCngGAIkA. I brought the specimen with me for ID. It was preserved in the freezer for a few months. Stacked from 301 images in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Nikon PB-6 bellows, Mitutoyo M Plan Apo 10/0,28, morfanon tube lens. More info: https://flic.kr/p/q7pyXP   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1422105029447-OV1ZTIEQP1CRBPPZN1PD/image-asset.jpeg studio - Studio stack: Neomida ♂ Neomida haemorrhoidalis, Tenebrionidae Size: 6 mm Studio portrait of this horned little darkling beetle (dead/prepared specimen). It's not very common here in Sweden. Found in an old bracket fungus growing on a dead birch. Females lack the protruding hornes above the eyes. Stacked from 274 exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Nikon PB-6 bellows, morfanon tube lens, Mitutoyo M Plan Apo 10/0.28   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1420785426697-I18FZQJ96ZY96JHKHYOE/image-asset.jpeg studio - Studio stack: Xylotrechus Xylotrechus rusticus, Aspen zebra beetle, Cerambycidae (long horned beetles) Size: 17 mm Studio portrait of this very common long horned beetle. In the comment section on flickr: https://flic.kr/p/qFXU8N you'll find some field shots as well as a youtube-clip featuring this beetle. This species is not as colorful as some of its close relatives but it's beautifully shaped and I'm always pleased to find it. Funny how some species becomes "favorites" despite the fact that you can't put your finger on exactly what makes them special... In this case there might simply be some pavlovian explanation behind it – these guys show up my favorite time of year (June) when everything is pleasant: sun is shining, birds are singing and everything is growing, breeding, living... This portrait shows a dead/prepared specimen, shot under studio conditions and stacked from 120 exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Mitutoyo M Plan Apo 5/0.14 microscope objective, morfanon tube lens, Nikon PB-6 bellows.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081726001-MP3PRTGQ8BOTCY15R2TV/12948634595_2d4c2ace27_o.jpg studio - Earthworm in the studio!   Unknown earthworm species Lumbricidae 80 mm in length Tomorrow (March 6th) marks the release of our children's book Minimonster i naturen (website ») here in Sweden! This earthworm is one of the featured bugs in the book. Like most images in the book it was shot specifically for this, and here I wanted to capture the bristles called setae on the worm's body! They provide grip against the substrate and thus help the worm to move both forward and backward! This is a studio stack of a prepared specimen. It's stacked from 45 exposures and in Zerene stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Nikon PB-6 bellows + reversed Schneider-Kreuznach Apo-Componon 60/4 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1432190334158-7CCX3LB6FXSJY52YJBUC/image-asset.jpeg studio - Studio stack: Cuckoo wasp A species in the difficult Chrysis ignita group. Size: 7-8 mm Posting this from my hotel room one day before the opening of my biggest exhibition yet at ABECITA Museum of Modern Art in Borås, Sweden. This image is one of 62 large format prints (averaging at above 100cm). This particular image is also featured in my most recent book "Livet som minimonster" ("Life as a mini-monster") – a children's book focusing on the fascinating life cycles of insects and spiders (see comment section). Stacked from 178 exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Mitutoyo M Plan Apo 10/0.28, 170mm tube-lens ("morfanon"), Nikon PB-6 bellows, Cognisys StackShot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1468058992275-6T8YANJCZL0KLY09AOBZ/retouched+2452-2506-Redigera-Redigera-Redigera-Redigera.jpg studio - Studio stack: Bibio ♂ ♂ Bibio marci, March fly, Bibionidae 10 mm This is a a lateral portrait of a male march fly. Male bibionids have very large, hairy and peculiar eyes. Female march flies look quite different (much smaller eyes). 233 exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker (dead, prepared specimen). Canon 5DmkII, Nikon PB-6 bellows, Mitutoyo M Plan Apo 10X 0.28. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1457029059609-PH3PNQ1RPU3H9PK5RGVC/image-asset.jpeg studio - Studio stack: Osmia Osmia bicornis ♀, Megachilidae Females of this species have two peculiar horns/protrusions above their mandibles. This is a studio stack of a dead, cleaned specimen found in my livingroom window. Stacked from 121 exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7 with reversed Canon 40/2.8 @ 1.3s, f/4.5, ISO100. This is the so called "nonaC 40/2.8" I've described in this post. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1461584585133-9AZ6SAG4B03Y9WNQ4JYN/flea-duo.jpg studio - Studio stack: Dancing fleas? Bird fleas, Ceratophyllus gallinae Size: 2 mm This is a studio stack of two (dead) bird fleas placed on a microscope slide. I didn't actually position them like this. I placed them on the slide encapsulated in drops of alcohol. However the drops got stuck together and as the alcohol evaporated the fleas were drawn closer to each other and eventually ended up in this configuration. I liked the symmetry so I decided to shoot them as they were :) I collected these fleas while helping a friend emptying the bird houses at a local golf course (a procedure repeated each year in March). Please see the comment section for more images and info! Stacked from 21 exposures in Zerene Stacker (lit with two LED-lights). Sony NEX-7, Nikon PB-6 bellows, Mitutoyo M Plan Apo 5X/0.14 + Apo-Gerogon 210/9. https://johnhallmen.se/handheld daily 0.75 2026-02-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081821252-DF2WILLBY33YX2P59W21/12237894986_fb04e584aa_o.jpg handheld https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081821252-DF2WILLBY33YX2P59W21/12237894986_fb04e584aa_o.jpg handheld https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081823309-OC8SXWI1SFXTOMR2QT1K/12236312386_7b70341dfc_o.jpg handheld https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082034275-PVP69HTUAIE722JHU2WY/11252540116_7d4844dace_o.jpg handheld https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082033474-CO5J8S5X4LJ9KYRRRSFV/11205506766_e6aae06479_o.jpg handheld https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082039425-9C6LFG7KC5MEAW7NAM10/11170726313_961f6faaba_o.jpg handheld 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https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084628985-RFBWU2Q8ZOL1MHNOGJR7/3873934759_d2da744583_o.jpg handheld https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081732566-28WXW9D058QT314SSFT9/12541255054_eba6aa38a6_o.jpg handheld - Our Children's book is out!   Coccinella septempunctata interacting with a kindhearted (juvenile) specimen of the otherwise ferocious species Homo sapiens This image is featured in a, soon to be released, book of ours. It's a children's book called "Minimonster i naturen" (= "Mini-monsters in nature" – see, Swedish is easier than it sounds!) and the topic is – surprise, surprise – bugs! Hanna (my wife) is the author and Bruno (our son) is the main character. I'm happy to contribute with the images! This is a two shot composite of a seven-spot ladybird about to take off from my son's index finger. Shot with Canon 5DmkII + Nikkor 20/3.5 on a short extension tube. Natural light balanced out with diffused flash in the foreground. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081759853-T2SU5YKA6PUK6OIJ4I64/12414742373_26d10705e2_o.jpg handheld - Lamella   Unidentified Bark louse, Psocoptera Size: 1.5 mm This little bark louse is exploring the lamella under the cap of a small mushroom. Single exposure with diffused flash (DIY Beautydish diffuser). Canon 5DmkII, Canon 270EX, Canon MP-E65 @ 3.7X, 1/30s, f/8, ISO320 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1420667934775-EQUVIRR1U1TKG2C2F18D/image-asset.jpeg handheld Cyanopterus sp. (Ipobracon) Braconidae (ID-cred: D. Quicke) Size: 7 mm Found this brightly colored little braconid on a huge beaver felled aspen. I suppose it's targeting wood boring beetle larvae with its ovipositor. Braconids are typically parasitoids, meaning they eventually kill their hosts (unlike true parasites). Because of this, some braconid species are regularly used as biological pest control agents (in particular those targeting aphids). Single mixed light shot (diffused flash + natural light). Canon 5DmkII, Canon 270EX, Canon MP-E65 @ 2.4X, 1/40s, f/9, ISO400 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1420667674944-NMK6BBCYE0LWDZHDZEYC/image-asset.jpeg handheld - Mite covered ensign fly Nemopoda speiseri (Sepsidae) with phoretic mites (ID-cred: P. Beuk) Size: 6 mm This little fly was found on a very decayed moose carcass. Almost nothing remained except for the hoofs and a few other bones. Still you could find a few carrion associated bugs, such as this one even though you had to look really closely in the crevices around the hoofs to find any soft tissue left. I'm adding a few more shots from the carcass in the comment-section on flickr: https://flic.kr/p/qEVhf1 Thes wings of this specimen seem malformed. It was able to fly but only for shorter distances. Single mixed light exposure (direct sun and diffused flash). Canon 5DmkII, Canon 270EX, Canon MP-E65 @ 2.7X (and cropped), 1/125s, f/13, ISO400 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081632395-QWC0I7YVO4NPSN4M1NAO/13895213054_251c1dbd39_o.jpg handheld - Phantom Midge Larva Phantom Midge Larva Chaoboridae Size: 6-7 mm My son and I caught this larva (along with various other aquatic bugs) in a nearby puddle in the woods the other day. We brought them with us home for closer study! I've posted some more shots from the occasion on the blog » The mosquito larvae ended up as much appreciated dinner for the fishes in our aquarium – but first I had to snap a few shots of them. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 + Canon 270EX. Single handheld shot at 3.7X, 1/100s, f/11, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405083353600-JBE49OFHI4CN9ZJSS9Y1/6076911242_23a59fe97d_o.jpg handheld https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1420991172420-RH5603AKU1DOIY8ZU8RL/image-asset.jpeg handheld - Ostoma parking lot Ostoma ferruginea, Trogossitidae Size 8-10 mm These flattened beetles are closely associated with brown-rot fungi (such as Fomitopsis pinicola or Antrodia xantha) and you find them in rotting wood. These were found underneath the bark and/or inside the wood of a large rotting spruce. This wide angle close-up was shot in 2013 as part of a book project I've mentioned here: https://flic.kr/p/geivZ3 More shots in the comment section on flickr: https://flic.kr/p/qHh32b Single handheld natural light exposure . Canon 5DmkII, Nikon Nikkor 28/2.8 AI-s, Nikon K1 extension tube | 0.5s, f/16, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1420668270552-HEQ72RH8CWA78TWNB0DB/image-asset.jpeg handheld - Drilling for hosts II Echthrus sp. (probably), Cryptinae, Ichneumonidae ID-cred: I. Österblad & G. Várkonyi Size: 8 mm These wasps find their hosts using echo-localization. They rapidly tap their antennae like drumsticks against the wood surface and the echoing vibrations are then picked up by their slightly enlarged front legs (tibia). Found and shot at the same location as the previous post. Beavers have been working hard here – hundreds of felled trees (mainly aspens) are providing excellent breeding sites for a large variety of insects. I found many other interesting species on the very same log (see in the comment section on flickr: https://flic.kr/p/qqgMZu Stacked from 6 handheld mixed light (natural light + diffused flash) exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, diffused Canon 270EX, Canon MP-E65 @ 2.4X, 1/60, f/10, ISO400 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1420668415367-XNFLLICWT304XV19WG5E/image-asset.jpeg handheld - Brown Hawker Encounter Aeshna grandis (on my son's finger) Size: 70 mm This dragonfly seemed a bit lethargic when we first found it close to the ground by the path. At first we thought something was wrong with it but soon we realized it was probably just cold – after a couple of minutes sitting on my sons finger it seemed to came to and eventually flew away. Single exposure made with Sony NEX-7, Sony E 18-55 OSS + short extension tube. Natural light + diffused pop-up flash. I'm adding another couple of shots from this encounter (made with the same gear) in the comment section on flickr: https://flic.kr/p/qHwRu4 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1419971414478-FH0LNBCW98FI34TW7NO9/image-asset.jpeg handheld ♂♂ Machimus atricapillus (Tolmerus atricapillus) Size: 14 mm A male robberfly feeding on a defeated rival. This is a handheld mixed light stack shot in August 2014. 16 exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65, Canon 270EX + DIY beautydish diffuser | 1/100s, f/6.3, ISO100. https://flic.kr/p/qjiRvZ   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081716337-2IX48N649BNFV0RF5XM4/13449772565_5dccca72d1_o.jpg handheld - Flat bug family Aneurus avenius Aradidae, male + larvae ID-cred: CC Coulianos Size: 5 mm (adult specimen)   You typically find these peculiar, almost two-dimensional, bugs under bark. I'm somewhat puzzled by they "bullseye" pattern on the back of the larvae – any theories?   Single exposure, Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 + Canon 270EX flash with yoghurt-bottle diffuser. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1421784208607-EHQB46B1HYTT1SDOE5FY/image-asset.jpeg handheld - Egg laying Jewel Beetle Agrilus sp., Buprestidae (I'm leaning towards A. suvorovi) Size: 9 mm A bluish variety of the Agrilus from the previous post. At least I think it's the same species – they seemed quite variable in coloration, ranging all the way from bronze to green and blue. This female specimen has deposited eggs on a beaver felled Aspen log and is now in the process of "brushing". This means covering them with some kind of secretion. She does this by repeatedly brushing the tip of her abdomen over the the eggs whilst excreting some fluid. See the comment section for a youtube clip showing this process! This is a single handheld (mixed light) exposure, manually patched with a few pixels from a consecutive frame in order to get the entire eye in focus. Canon 5DmkII, Canon 270EX, Canon MP-E65 @ 2.7X (cropped), 1/100s, f/7.1, ISO400 BTW, I've been playing with a new DIY-diffuser design the past season – most of the hand held shots from 2014 posted so far has been with this diffuser. Expect som more info on it soon! Watch this in action on youtube: youtu.be/yhY1APtcsWk More on flickr: https://flic.kr/p/qRUwfG   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1444716275852-BEP6QEFCNV17EM28N5ZX/image-asset.jpeg handheld - Small Parasitoid Wasp Braconidae, Probably subfamily Doryctinae Size: 4-5 mm During a night session in July I found several of these little wasps, drilling for hosts in a freshly felled aspen trunk. Single handheld exposure with Sony NEX-7 + Canon MP-E65 @ 5X, f/10, 1/50s, ISO200. Lit with a Meike MK-300 flash + DIY-diffuser. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1443778247488-T8CDK3BSCJ55VZYZ39RA/image-asset.jpeg handheld - Tiny Pillbugs Armadillidium pulchellum Ø 2.5 mm (roughly 5 mm when extended) I found these nicely colored pillbugs underneath the bark of an old decaying birch just a minute's walk from my doorstep. If my ID is correct, it does not appear to be a very common species. That is, it's not often being reported. In fact, mine appears to be the most northern record of this species (in Sweden) and the closest find is more than 150 km from here (with mostly sea in between) or > 300 km to the second closest find. However, something tells me this is a grossly overlooked (and under reported) group of arthropods, and it wouldn't surprise me if this species is much more common than we think. Stacked from five handheld exposures in Zerene Stacker. Each 1/60, f/10, ISO100. Shot with the gear described in my previous post: Sony NEX-7 + nonaC 40/2.8. Lighting provided by a diffused Meike MK-300. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1452251234637-U55I5LLPVH7NCQQ6P8SK/image-asset.jpeg handheld - Raft Spider Dolomedes fimbriatus Size (body): 22 mm This is the largest spider species we have here in Sweden. Obviously, it's nothing compared to what can be found in many other places, but it's still a fairly impressive animal. Especially when you consider the ease with witch, even fully grown females such as this one, can move over a water surface. This one dove down and hid beneath the log you see in the background for a few minutes when I first approached it. But I stayed put and when it resurfaced it completely seemed to ignore my presence (I could even pet it). Single mixed light exposure (diffused built in flash + natural light). Sony NEX-7, Sony 18-55 (kit-zoom), 10 mm extension tube (more shots in the comment section on flickr) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1453466549007-CTPO99BNO7XZSQL47L09/image-asset.jpeg handheld - Jumping spider Dendryphantes rudis female 5mm A 5 mm long Dendryphantes rudis female has caught a tiny spider for dinner. Handheld focus stack from 16 exposures. Sony NEX-7, Carl Zeiss Luminar 63 mm f/4.5, Meike-MK-300 + DIY diffuser   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1481192704126-T44GWKX8HGRRA0UR90LA/_MG_2976-Redigera-6.jpg handheld - Emus hirtus Emus hirtus, a rove beetle with attitude 22 mm It's difficult to comprehend that this large, furry and flexible insect is in fact a beetle. I'd say it rather gives the impression of a miniature predatory mammal! This specimen was caught and kindly handed to me by a friend of mine. In 2017 I'll revisit this location and I truly hope I'll be able to find one myself. Single handheld exposure with Canon 5DmkII fitted with a Canon 100/2.8 + diffused flash (Canon 270EX). Settings according to EXIF. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1480020538983-KAQW1KJWQ5NCMKPKRPXB/retouched+0781-0791-1-Redigera-4.jpg handheld - Odd little weevil Tapeinotus sellatus 4 mm This little weevil have the habit of making this peculiar pose when it feels threatened. Let me assure you – this is really effective camouflage! Unless I happened to be looking specifically for small weevils I definitely wouldn't have spotted this one. In fact – I almost didn't anyway despite looking straight at it from a short distance. I was convinced it was just some small piece of plant debris that had stuck to that leaf. The way it folds its legs up underneath the body successfully conceals its shadow while at the same time it erasing the contour. The awkwardly raised snout only adds to the debris-illusion. Handheld stack made from 10 exposures, lit by diffused flash and assembled in Zerene Stacker. Canon 760D, Canon MP-E65, Canon 270EX + DIY beautydish diffuser. https://johnhallmen.se/tripod daily 0.75 2026-02-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1446623067167-PMI6FFU5WE5LUXBM8S87/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Platycerus ♂ Platycerus caraboides, stag beetle Size: 12 mm Found this male stag beetle on a timothy spike (Phleum pratense) an early morning in May. Stacked from 51 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 2X, f/6.3, 0.6s, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1446623067167-PMI6FFU5WE5LUXBM8S87/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Platycerus ♂ Platycerus caraboides, stag beetle Size: 12 mm Found this male stag beetle on a timothy spike (Phleum pratense) an early morning in May. Stacked from 51 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 2X, f/6.3, 0.6s, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1446622870325-PKXEHI2T0LITU4AW19SC/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Sawfly larva on Hypericum Tenthredo sp.?, (Tenthredinidae anyway) Size: 13 mm I've found sawfly larvae like this one on St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) in the past as well. I'm guessing it's not a coincidence but I wonder if it's a species specific relationship. A single, natural light exposure. Sony NEX-7, Sigma 180/3.5 @ 1/15s, f/9, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081746304-9F8NZ7ZEPKS9VMOT8L7F/12521362884_d46897cf1b_o.jpg tripod - Four-spotted Orb Weaver II   Araneus quadratus♀, Araneidae Size (body): 16 mm This is an early morning stack of an adult female orb weaver on an old orpine flower (Hylotelephium). This was shot on a cold morning in mid-september 2013 and the subject patiently posed for several stackning sequences from different angles. Stacked from 82 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 1.8X, 0.5s, f/6.3, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081739086-2C3TJ4SA0GPHKF5VOF62/12567560313_a451764cb0_o.jpg tripod - Sleeping heads down   Anthidium punctatum ♂ Size: 6 mm These little bees predictably show up every year at my favorite shooting location. They sleep like this, clamped down on some delicate piece of vegetation using their mouthparts (mandibles) alone. When approached carefully they make easy subjects! Stacked from 31 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 2.7X, 0.6s, f/5.6, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081779650-UYZYFP60Q89N01QMOM8P/12351122464_6653dbb429_o.jpg tripod - Feathery Thorn   Colotois pennaria ♂ ID-cred: H. Elmquist Size: 20 mm (wingspan: 40 mm) This is a partially flash-lit morning stack of a moth attracted to a light during the night. It was quite windy and for protection against the wind I used a small light tent (which I actually had to secure with heavy bricks!). This work decently but I often find the light inside the tent to be too even and dull. With a clear sky and in direct sunlight it's usually decent (at least since I've replaced the back wall with translucent plastic) but on a cloudy day such as this one the light inside the tent is just boring. Nevertheless I shot several "natural" light stacks from different angles inside the tent, trying to make the most of this (most cooperative) subject. I realized I had my flash in the camera bag and eventually shot this 38 image sequence with the flash positioned outside to the tent hitting the left wall. Canon 5DmkII, Canon 270EX, Canon MP-E65 @ 3.7X, 1/5s, f/6.3, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081751819-1VCWW5RKBVSXYYXNGXO4/12521003834_ca1537288f_o.jpg tripod - Four-spotted Orb Weaver   Araneus quadratus♀, Araneidae Size (body): 16 mm This is an early morning stack of an adult female orb weaver on an old orpine flower (Hylotelephium). This was shot on a cold morning in mid-september 2013 and the subject patiently posed for several stackning sequences from different angles. I used a small aluminum reflector to bounce some light onto the subject (from below right) and a circular polarizer to control reflections. Stacked from 58 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 2.2X, 0.4s, f/6.3, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082055156-BJK6CJ0Z9YEWIL24ODVC/9712365872_00420155d6_o.jpg tripod - Fall Beetle on Thrift Cryptocephalus sericeus ♀ Size: 5 mm This species is red listed in category NT ("Near Threatened") in Sweden but locally they can occur in fairly large numbers and this summer I must have seen hundreds of them. Which kind of slows me down since I can't help but taking a closer look every time... They are loosing ground since their habitat is becoming less common. Stacked from 36 natural light exposures in Zerene stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 3.0X, 1/20s, f/6.3, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081869021-REXVXSL6QW7Y5TCTMNSC/11873180923_00b70faf4b_o.jpg tripod - Well Worn Bee Fly, dorsal view   Lomatia lateralis Bombyliidae Size: 8-9 mm Dorsal view of the bee fly introduced in the previous post. This was a particularly colorful specimen but it also showed significant signs of a tough life – the wings were quite worn (but perfectly useful for flight as it turned out). Shot in July 2013 and stacked from 31 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 2.0X, 0.4s, f/6.3, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081874990-CM61VEFFO4NA1AP1X5H0/11839457123_27dc81ffc4_o.jpg tripod - Well Worn Bee Fly Lomatia lateralis Bombyliidae Size: 8-9 mm This was a particularly colorful specimen but it also showed significant signs of a tough life – the wings were quite worn (but perfectly useful for flight as it turned out). Shot in July 2013 and stacked from 56 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 2.0X, 0.8s, f/6.3, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081686063-HJ73OFRMTSO7VACBVEUW/13560665353_1c7c03ccf9_o.jpg tripod - Dewy Wings   Issoria lathonia, Nymphalidae Body length: 17 mm This shows a portion of the wings (where the fore and hind wings overlaps) of the Queen of Spain Fritillary from the past two posts. 19 exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 3.3x (and cropped), 1/13s, f/5.6 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082295462-S84JWA1RN0RQAQH8R7D7/8266841912_3f171ed6b1_o.jpg tripod - Bee on Forget-me-not Macropis europaea, Melittidae Size: 7 mm A sleeping male solitary bee clinging to a tiny forget-me-not flower. 51 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 1.8X, 1/8s, f/4.0, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082283141-7POIEKE3A2JUFM9214VH/8273609695_356d8fe1e5_o.jpg tripod - Bee Wasp Gasteruption sp., Gasteruptiidae Size: 7.5 mm This one is perched on the heart shaped pods of shepherd's purse Capsella bursa-pastoris. 34 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081773022-S3R05ZB9T6B35NFOS7RF/12348908713_f9b99cd84e_o.jpg tripod - Lypusa   Lypusa maurella, ID-cred: H. Elmquist Size: 7 mm It's almost difficult to imagine a more nondescript insect than this little moth. But its bland and featureless exterior takes nothing away from the elegant posture at the very tip of this grass leaf. 40 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 3.0X, 1/4s, f/4.5, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081782698-NDMUC76IY84657VFRMO8/12324859923_42531e84e7_o.jpg tripod - Oxyptilus   Oxyptilus sp. (ID-cred: H. Elmqvist) Body length: 8 mm Early morning stack of this small plume moth. This was actually another case in which I employed the local stacking technique described in a recent post (see this youtube clip:youtu.be/CVxL_vk6CZU ) 28 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 2X, 1/8s, f/6.3, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081789602-3FAO7566C0UU9RL2MORI/12307098844_5eba8717c4_o.jpg tripod - Hybotid   Unidentified dance fly, Hybotidae Size: 4 mm These little flies are predators. You often see them with prey which they hold onto in a rather unusual manner: they pinch it between the enlarged and spiky femur and tibia of their hind legs. 36 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 3.3X, 1/8s, f/5, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081793591-38TBFPRZAAP55AY7DUZU/12289962936_bc112fa897_o.jpg tripod - Sweat bee on plantain Sweat bee on plantain Lasioglossum cf. leucozonium Size: 6 mm A small dew covered sweat bee on a dry plantain flower. Shot in late July 2013. Stacked from 46 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. I used a technique I call "localized stacking" to get rid of some ugly stacking artifacts around the antennae (which moved during the course of the sequence). I've uploaded a clip explaining how this works to youtube: youtu.be/CVxL_vk6CZU Canon 5DmkII, Nikon PB-6 bellows, Schneider-Kreuznach Apo-Componon 60/4 @ 1s, f/6.3, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081801015-I5WYEN2PVUD78Y445KLK/12270877233_eb7fd228a5_o.jpg tripod - Carpocoris II   Carpocoris purpureipennis Size: 11 mm I wasn't really satisfied with the angle in the last post. I posted it mainly in order to refer back to it from this post. After I shot the first sequence I wanted to try a few alternative framings/angles. The bug had other ideas though – it was moving more and more, and I wasn't able to get any other "complete" series. This image shows what became of one of these attempts. In this case I only got 8 frames before the bug literally walked out of the frame. I usually delete these failed attempts if the subject moves before I even managed to get at least one eye in focus. In this case I couldn't bring myself to delete the series though and decided to stack the few frames I had. For me this is a good reminder that these "fails" are sometimes at least as good as what I originally had in mind. Well, I certainly prefer this one over the one in the previous post! (If you have an opinion I'd appreciate if you let me know!) 8 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 1.5X, 0,3s, f/6.3, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081808137-KZNQQKE586QSBK435LPU/12270905396_2485536ef8_o.jpg tripod - Carpocoris   Carpocoris purpureipennis Size: 11 mm This rather washed-out specimen was perched on a dry filipendula-flower. 29 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 1.2X, 0.3s, f/6.3, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081811096-W8CMLM5N7W7P7CMQ1ABR/12251434064_ab82394e1e_o.jpg tripod - Atylotus portrait   Atylotus rusticus ♂, Tabanidae, (ID-cred: T. Zeegers) Size: 15 mm A closer view of the horse fly from the previous post. As I moved closer the fly began going through its meticoulus grooming routine. If you're somewhat familiar with flies you'll know what I'm talking about: wiping eyes – rubbing legs – wiping eyes – rubbing legs... It would pause for a few seconds here and there – just enough for me to get my hopes up. Finally I lost my patience and smacked my hands together right above the lens. This startled it just long enough for me to get the 40 exposure sequence used in this stack. You can almost see how eager it is to lift those front legs and continue its routine :) Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 3.3X, 0.4s, f/5.6, ISO400 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081817235-7M6C3HSE3OQEOQYTGDNV/12250768023_e85485a807_o.jpg tripod - Atylotus ♂   Atylotus rusticus ♂, Tabanidae, (ID-cred: T. Zeegers) Size: 15 mm This horse fly species was a nice new acquaintance for me last summer. Like in most horse flies, females of this species needs a nice "pint" of blood, preferably mammalian, before they are ready to reproduce. Males on the other hand, are strictly vegan, feeding on nectar and pollen. Typically this means you'll only ever find female tabanids (or they find you rather). So I'm a bit surprised to only have come across males of this species so far. Horse flies are extremely fast fliers – often referred to as the fastest among all flying insects. Looking at the body shape of this fly I can't help but noticing what appears to be an almost aerodynamically perfect adaptation! Shot early in the morning and stacked from 16 natural light exposures using Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 1.4X, 1/4s, f/7.1, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081833393-3YKBBN1HQKKCUJJ4757V/12138877423_f4d400ec7a_o.jpg tripod - Droplet Cradle A tiny (probably juvenile) orbweever Araneidae Body length: 3 mm   Early morning stack of this spider on a dry Filipendula-flower. Shot in August 2013.   Stacked from 50 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker.   If you have the ability to view cross-view stereograms I suggest you have a look at the 3D-verison: 1024px:farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/12139064586_bc16802057_b.jpg 2048px:farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/12139064586_0e0c5104cf_k.jpg Flash: morfa.se/vu2/index.html?imageTwo=http://farm8.staticflick... Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 3X, 1/15s, f/5.6, ISO200   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081834947-GAY7DQ2SBWWYUDSIIKPL/12070995916_61300da109_o.jpg tripod - Transformation imminent   Comma caterpillar, Polygonia c-album Lepidoptera Size: 25 mm This caterpillar has spun a nice anchor point and is about to begin pupation. Stacked from 29 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 1X, 1/10s, f/7.1, ISO200 I did a second sequence – slightly closer and with a larger aperture consisting of 62 frames. I preferred the composition in the lower magnification view but the second sequence was better suited for rendering a synthetic crossed-eyes stereogram (see comment-section).   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081844600-NSH8R07WG42B5D30COR3/12034160394_257ae189e3_o.jpg tripod - Hopper on Birch Hopper on Birch Idiocerus cf. laminatus Size: 5 mm Members of this group of leaf hoppers are apparently difficult to ID with species precision. This one was found an photographed on a young birch (Betula sp.) an early morning in September 2013. 42 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Nikon PB-6 bellows, reversed Schneider-Kreuznach Apo-Componon 60/4 @ 4.5X, 1/8, f/5. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081847197-IRXAZX5EMVFXZX5OLMF2/12028949274_bcfb12e97f_o.jpg tripod - Metellina ♀ ♂   Metellina sp. (probably segmentata or mengei) ♀(left), ♂(right) Body length ≈ 5 mm Composite view of a couple of Metellina-spiders found close to each other. Both are early morning, natural light stacks shot in early September 2013. Left image: 24 exposures @ 1/4s, f/7.1, ISO200. Right image: 10 exposures @ 1/4s, f/7.1, ISO200 Canon 5DmkII, Nikon PB-6 bellows, Reversed Schneider-Kreuznach Apo-Componon 60/4 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081883740-EL1D1EOKCOYRVQU0ASGB/11821347055_47eebb4081_o.jpg tripod - Tiny Cuckoo Wasp   Pseudomalus auratus ID-cred: J. Abenius Size: 4 mm This tiny jewel wasp was shot @ 5:1 an early morning in July 2013. It was just about to "wake up" so I had to hurry and I only had time for this this (diffraction limited) 19 exposure sequence before the wasp was on the move. Stacked from 19 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-e65 @ 5.0X, 1.3s, 7.1s, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081884441-UI6JAVJJUM9281VNDGNX/11753891265_863ab4228b_o.jpg tripod - Slender Robber   Leptogaster cylindrica, Asilidae Size: 15 mm I had many encounters with this species in the summer of 2013. I believe this specimen is a female. Stacked from 35 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 2.2X, 1.3s, f/7.1, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081897294-4AE906CV07ZBWKK5UW8L/11732386385_374c434a74_o.jpg tripod - Cryptocephalus sericeus   Cryptocephalus sericeus ♂ Size: 6 mm This fall beetle is clinging to a Brown Knapweed flower (Centaurea jacea). Stacked from 48 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 2.7X, 1/5s, f/5.0, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081893142-YLGIJZFDDS110CKZOTD8/11732681856_9d10980d6a_o.jpg tripod - Cryptocephalus moraei Cryptocephalus moraei 4 mm   I'm sure you can guess what this little fall beetle is up to. But perhaps there is more to it than meets the eye? Fall beetles often camouflage their eggs among these fecal pellets.   This particular fall beetle made a point of showing the appropriateness of its common name: as I carefully moved in for a higher magnification stack it fell to the ground and disappeared.   Shot in July 2013 and stacked from 19 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker.   Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 2X (cropped), 1/6s, f/7.1, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081909954-BWWIB1KBJP2563DAS6JP/11730066534_b803cbbe3f_o.jpg tripod - Carpocoris   Carpocoris cf. fuscispinus Carpocoris purpureipennis ID-cred: C.C. Coulianos Size: 8 mm In Sweden we have two Carpocoris species and I find plenty of both (adults are relatively easy to tell apart) at this site. 12 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65, 1s, f/5.0, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081922399-MKSGH52PCZ0VODQHJVI8/11711524456_ec34dd6d27_o.jpg tripod - Lepyrus Lepyrus Lepyrus capucinus ID-cred: Stanislav Snäll Size: 12.3 mm This species is red listed in Sweden (NT category). It was shot an early morning in July 2013. 35 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene stacker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081928955-966PHLDQ5FUKFH66GP90/11709857255_c50561bd0e_o.jpg tripod - Pentatomid Hatchlings Carpocoris purpureipennis, Pentatomidae (ID-cred: Carl-Cedric Coulianos) Size: 2 mm These newly hatched pentatomids were lingering on their egg capsules. This is a mixed light stack – I've combined natural light with diffused flash. In this case the diffused flash helped achieving a better white balance and color dynamics. 30 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 + Canon 270EX @ 4.3X, 0.4s, f/5.6, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081931488-61SCOXKGQP0TMEZ6LN1P/11708350804_6da2db5f14_o.jpg tripod - Chloropid Chlorops sp. (ID-cred: mossnisse) Chloropidae 5 mm I shot this little frit fly from different angles providing different backgrounds (see comment section for two more examples). I prefer this dark background where the background is the shadow underneath some trees/bushes. 34 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 4.3X, 0,3s, f/5.6, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081939415-RZCHFFK7BYMG64YC072Z/11668157484_ce9810fd38_o.jpg tripod - Phasia Phasia obesa (ID-cred: C. Raper) (4.5 mm This tiny parasitic fly was challenging to stack since the wind was picking up and the fly was perched on a delicate grass spike. Out of four almost identical sequences with 35 frames each, I managed to sift out 25 decent consecutive frames used in this image. Stacked from 25 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 4X, 0.4s, f/5.6, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081940472-VKRIS5JZ6N31WR563I8C/11652228365_0ded2ceb38_o.jpg tripod - Prosena Prosena siberita (Tachinidae) Bodylength: 8 mm The unusually long proboscis of this parasitic fly makes is quite distinctive. I've been looking for this species. I saw a few of them actively feeding during the day in July, but in August I finally found one early in the morning resting on this Medicago sativa flower. Stacked from 41 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 2.5X, 0,5s, f/5.6, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081946904-SLDBPKD3E61J02DYD2AM/11648104685_5444e22d31_o.jpg tripod - Prosena Prosena siberita (Tachinidae) Bodylength: 8 mm The unusually long proboscis of this parasitic fly makes is quite distinctive. I've been looking for this species. I saw a few of them actively feeding during the day in July, but in August I finally found one early in the morning resting on this Medicago sativa flower. Stacked from 37 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 1.5X, 1/4s, f/5.6, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081963395-NZ9EMAF3XCNOACOEY4SP/11602798696_016de99bc2_o.jpg tripod - Latticed Heath Chiasmia clathrata ♀ Body length: 10 mm This is a small and rather common geometer moth species. The larvae feed on various meadow vegetation and the adults are active both during the day as well as in the evening. Stacked from 28 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 3.3X, 1/10s, f/5.6, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081964553-J4D306U81YKR7LEJSVOU/11493347944_715b561f1a_o.jpg tripod - Canary Shouldered Thorn, dorsal Ennomos alniaria Body length: 20 mm The canary shouldered thorn is a moth which can be quite common during the late summer and early autumn. This moth was attracted to a light during the night but stayed until the morning when it could be photographed in natural light. Stacked from 48 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 1.0X, 1s, f/6.3, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081976957-HSJSZKGBB3SKHLEBIJ88/11483970665_7869bc0caf_o.jpg tripod - Chicken? Ennomos alniaria Body length: 20 mm The canary shouldered thorn is a moth which can be quite common during the late summer and early autumn. This moth was attracted to a light during the night but stayed until the morning when it could be photographed in natural light. Stacked from 55 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 4.3X, 1.0s, f/4, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081976257-LCS8P5V497YP5D7HQOS6/11480121735_fa8511fdcf_o.jpg tripod - Portrait of a Peppered Moth Caterpillar Biston betularia Size: 45 mm This is a fairly large twig mimicking caterpillar shot in late september 2013. Stacked from 49 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 4.3X, 1s, f/5.6, ISO200 (last exposure stopped down to f/9) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081992729-F24WPOEMHWWNSUUPL72V/11400384354_7c4cf34a16_o.jpg tripod - Maidenhair Spleenwort Aplenium trichomanes I find this small fern very elegant with its dark (almost black) stem (rachis) and spores. 41 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 1.8X, 1/20s, f/5.6, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082003336-LDQ360WR5NBC4JKKGW8N/11388442736_3e88321ace_o.jpg tripod - Tiny bee Asioglossum leucozonium (ID-cred: B. Jacobi) Size: 5mm A tiny bee on a malformed grass stamen. When I found this little bee it was resting further down on this peculiarly shaped grass . I tried to cut the stem off at the base without disturbing the bee but failed – the bee woke up and quickly climbed to the top where it remained, relatively active, for some time before taking off. At least I got this 36 frame sequence during which the bee remained relatively still. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 3.0X, 1/4s, f/6.3, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082013430-8JJQXURZSVWLL7BDPX5A/11364994824_04126e5259_o.jpg tripod - Bee fly, head-on view Lomatia lateralis Bombyliidae Size: 8-9 mm This species was new to me last year and I was happy to find it again at the same location this year. When I shot it I thought for sure I would later opt for a partial stack (with focus fading out like in the precious post) but in this case I ended up liking the full stack the most. Stacked from 98 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 1.2X, 1/8s, f/5.0, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082016359-R3J1VWRWDOMHDSWPUJLZ/11341531843_c03ec5b228_o.jpg tripod - Backlit bee fly Lomatia lateralis Bombyliidae Size: 8-9 mm This species was new to me last year and I was happy to find it again at the same location this year. Stacked from 45 natural light exposures shot an early morning in July. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 1.5X, 1/13s, f/5.0, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082027718-O16OWSULEMG0OF46UUO7/11305678685_bd5a548f92_o.jpg tripod - Hazel leaf roller – lateral stack Apoderus coryli Size: 7-8 mm A continuation on my leaf roller theme. This is a species I've only had the opportunity to find twice – it's certainly a peculiar and charming one! This time I actually came across it during an early morning session but this was shot when I returned to the site in the evening hoping to catch some leaf rolling action. I wasn't that lucky, but at least I found this individual still at the scene – and a couple of rolled up hazel leafs. Shot early in the morning and focus stacked from a sequence of 29 exposures. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65. @ 0.6s, f/5.6, ISO200. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082027758-1C62RHEQVML1YKKWMXB4/11256677795_f976bdb77a_o.jpg tripod - Hazel leaf roller – dorsal stack Apoderus coryli Size: 7-8 mm A continuation on my leaf roller theme. This is a species I've only had the opportunity to find twice – it's certainly a peculiar and charming one! This time I actually came across it during an early morning session but this was shot when I returned to the site in the evening hoping to catch some leaf rolling action. I wasn't that lucky, but at least I found this individual still at the scene – and a couple of rolled up hazel leafs. Stacked from 12 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker (1s, f/9, ISO200). Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082057819-HYEBV48DNERP1A2JHL0P/9711327118_3bff2a342f_o.jpg tripod - Small woodlouse A young Philoscia muscorum perhaps, but it's just a guess. Size: 4 mm One morning I found lots of small woodlice climbing around on the ground vegetation. I suppose they had been feeding on the dry, decaying grass and herbs during the evening/night and were lingering there until the sun became too annoying for them. For me, the light was just becoming "usable" (05.17, August 18th) and I decided to have a go at them as the first subject of the session. They proved to be easily scared and I went through three or four failed attempts before I got lucky with this one. I got one sequence before it too had had enough and ran off. I failed to find another one willing to cooperate. Stacked from 37 natural light exposures in Zerene stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 4.3X, 1.6s, f/4.0, ISO400 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082062526-O0AT8VM9XLY6N1VK7VM1/9692993861_4e050533da_o.jpg tripod - Striped slender robber Leptogaster cylindrica Size: 15 mm These odd little robberflies are always a joy to find. They seeem very well adapted to a life among the low vegetation. During the day you can find them slowly cruising around hunting for small prey such as chironomids, chloropids, aphids etcetera. They seem careful and delicate, and very rarely do they venture above the "grass tops". In the morning you'll typically find them like this. Stacked from 20 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 1.8X, 0,5s, f/7.1, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082064821-OY3TW6QQ8D6A887ZWVMX/9692280985_6ddb9470b1_o.jpg tripod Geometridae Size: 18 mm As I moved the camera closer the caterpillar suddenly struck this defense pose and kept it reasonably still for about 30 seconds. 19 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 1.4X, 1/13s, f/5.6, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082071183-WFB3DCZPU9WI1ECPZPKE/9682953189_674e2d2f82_o.jpg tripod - Mayfly Ephemeroptera, unknown species. Size: 8 mm I find the silhouette of these primordial creatures hard to resist. They have a reputation of being short-lived and indeed they don't live long as adults. Like many other insects the life-span of mayflies changes drastically if you consider the time they spend as larvae. Focus stacked from 32 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 1.2X, 1/15s, f/6.3, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082074250-MUB7CDZX4SUZ7W17VZ6D/9661885751_fa74b221b2_o.jpg tripod - Oedemera Oedemera flavipes ♂ Size: 7 mm Males of these beetles sport these oversized thighs (femura) on their hind legs. I haven't been able to figure out the reason for this but I suppose it has something to do with the mating. You typically find the adults on flowers feeding on pollen. The family Oedemeridae is sometimes even referred to as "pollen-feeding beetles". Stacked from 33 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 2.7X, 0.4s, f/6.3, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082081488-7TYA4QRNWG62V417BRW1/9652219875_ca020177e7_o.jpg tripod - Backlit caterpillar Noctuidae, unknown species. Size: ≈ 30 mm This caterpillar was slowly munching away on a Silene seed capsule. Early morning stack from 25 natural light exposures. I usually avoid direct sunlight on the subject but in this case I liked the effect. The sun was just coming up and sifted through the branches of the nearby trees. This caused patches of ground vegetation to light up against a much darker background. I exposed for the highlights and shot this sequence. As I often do I thought I'd immediately shoot another sequence just in case there was some undetected subject movement during the first one, but it proved to be too late – the light had already become much too harsh. I proceeded to shade the subject (pushing my camera backpack a meter forward did the trick). I got a few other sequences (see below) in more conventional (for stacking) lighting before the caterpillar moved on but In the end I preferred the first one. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 1X, 1/80s, f/5.6, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082085645-WZDDFD5J4MIPY726N9OX/9650361625_086661b6b5_o.jpg tripod - On the throne Macropis europaea ♂ Size: 7mm This little male bee spent the night klinging to the top of a plantain flower. Comfortably it seemed since it didn't seem to mind me shooting several stacks of it. Stacked from 38 natural light exposures in Zerene stacker. Again, I chose not to include the remaining 20 images which would have brought the entire subject in focus. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 2.4X, 0.3s, f/5.6, ISO200 In the comment below you'll find a stereogram and rocking sequence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082092139-DCAOWLZ6NQ3U2PJ6TU1G/9642385701_474fb80176_o.jpg tripod - White plume moth Pterophorus pendactyla Wingspan 25 mm Early morning stack of a plume moth resting on yellow bedstraw flowers (Galium verum). 12 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Animated gif showing the entire sequence (33 frames) here » Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 1.3X, 1/20s, f/7.1, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082098207-546P859SU1F31G95UUAY/9637002604_54d66f82ec_o.jpg tripod - Crab spider with breakfast A crab spider Misumena vatia ♀ with its freshly caught dipteran breakfast. Body length (spider): 5 mm This is a partial stack with the field garlic flowers left out of focus (I thought it provided better sense of depth in this case). I'm posting a synthetic stereogram made from the entire sequence below. 14 (out of 28) natural light exposures stacked in Zerene stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 2.7X, 1/10s, f/7.1, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082099737-XRZ653J92091AQ17IUAL/9618717271_156fcbc4ec_o.jpg tripod - The start of a long day I think it's a wolf spider Lycosidae. Possibly Trochosa sp. Body length: 6-7 mm When I first spotted this spider it had its legs spread out and several dew drops had accumulated along the legs and abdomen. As I approached it was disturbed and pulled its legs in, which caused dew drops to merge into one encapsulating almost the entire body of the spider. After some vain attempts at getting rid of the water the spider remained still long enough for me to shoot a couple of stacking sequences though each time interrupted by some sudden flinching movements which caused the spider to gradually loose its grip and eventually fall to the ground and run away. It doesn't take much anthropomorphising to imagine that this isn't isn't the preferred way for a spider to begin its day :) Stacked from 25 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Adding another stack of this spider in the comments. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 3.0X, 1/8s, f/5.6, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082112174-JUCBHJGN1F2ZH42P8VPX/9469022381_c9fcd69d2d_o.jpg tripod - Minute Fall Beetles Cryptocephalus fulvus or possibly C. pusillus? ♂ 2.2 mm, ♀ 3 mm Early morning stack of a mating fall beetle couple found on Thrift, Armeria maritima. Stacked from 43 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 5X, 1/8s, f/3.5, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082121013-JDMGSJQVL0SCHQSG8LK0/8644455093_a1f7f95087_o.jpg tripod - Tangleweb Spider Enoplognatha ovata, Theridiidae Size: 5-6 mm (body) Early morning stack of this tangleweb spider on field garlic Allium oeraceum 38 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Shot in July 2012. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 1/5s, f/5.6, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082128076-UT9E0RXSWYK1MRYGC7IA/8621887450_323f8dab51_o.jpg tripod - Cyclosa Cyclosa conica, Araneidae Size: 6 mm Early morning stack of this peculiarly shaped orb weaver. Shot in May 2012. Stacked from 29 natural light exposures in Zerene stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 2.7X, 0.6s, f/5.6, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082140322-S08BGJEEQLS8R7W2LX87/8606977046_2a67d07a09_o.jpg tripod - Malachite Beetle Malachius bipustulatus Size: 7 mm This is a very common species and therefore easily overlooked. Early morning stack shot in May 2012. Stacked from 52 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 3X, 0.8s, f/5.0, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082141683-E6ELEZSYM8Y5H86FI2X7/8601273688_5ba52a2694_o.jpg tripod - Cuddly Bees Macropis europaea, Melittidae ♂♂ Size: 7 mm Early morning stack from last summer. These cute little bees were found of the same species sleeping on field garlic. Stacked from 106 natural light exposures in Zerene stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @3X, 0.6s, f5.6, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082150412-U037XB9N8UB38SEXRZM0/8589494039_9aa1637582_o.jpg tripod - Metallic Click Beetle ♂ Ctenicera pectinicornis, male Size: 10 mm Early morning stack from May 2012 of this male click beetle. 21 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII+ Canon MP-E65 @ 0.5s, f/6.3, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082160086-GANXYBH9YMC5DXCU8AAP/8566296692_3cede0a259_o.jpg tripod Holopyga generosa, Chrysididae Size: 6 mm Early morning stack of this cuckoo wasp, sleeping an flowering Dactylis-grass. Shot on July 1st 2012. 17 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 2.2X, 1/10s, f3.5, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082171979-NTJ3775T6C8ZDZD92TRC/8557599182_7e2395c228_o.jpg tripod - Broken twig? No, it's the "Wainscot Smudge", Ypsolopha scabrella, (ID-cred: H. Elmquist) Size: 12 mm Early morning stack of this nicely camouflaged little moth sitting on a dry Anthiscus sylvestris stalk. I can imagine how the camouflage would be even more convincing among the twigs of a tree or bush, with grayish and finely knurled bark – almost perfectly imitated by the raised wing scales in this species. 123 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 4.3X, 0.8s, f3.2, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082179031-6KQERDJH8SMWZ9C5ZN91/8553066518_cc87628578_o.jpg tripod - Slender Tachinid on Trifolium Cylindromyia sp., Tachinidae Size: 7 mm Early morning stack of this slender parasitic fly on a Trifolium-flower. I had almost discarded these sequences (shot in August 2012) due to subject movement and wind, but by combining "good parts" from different sequences I managed to get something out of it. Stacked from 42 exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082191672-F3Z9QTI4A97Y9YMLV14Z/8542222226_f0606d420a_o.jpg tripod - Gymnosoma on Plantain Gymnosoma sp., Tachinidae Size: 6 mm Early morning stack of this colorful little parasitic fly. Shot in late August 2012. 36 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082195640-FNMN8XWQ8OD6XJZDWYGA/8495648714_f8104d9ea8_o.jpg tripod - Flight Cancelled... Anthomyiidae Size: 6 mm This fly has fallen victim to an entomopathogenic fungus (wikipedia). It's been dead for several days but before killing its host the fungus manipulated the fly into attaching itself to this elevated position which presumably makes it easier for the fungus to spread its spores. Stacked from 26 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. See comment section for synthetic stereogram. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65, 1/6s, f/6.3, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082207347-704MQG1KCI97F88W3C9J/8482017895_49e079dd11_o.jpg tripod - Long Legged Mirid Bug Phytocoris cf. varipes, Miridae Size: 6-7 mm Early morning stack of this peculiar mirid bug on a thistle bud. Stacked from 52 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX 7 + Apo-Componon 60/4 reversed on an Olympus telescopic extension tube. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082214295-V3I9293QTCPPTOL2RYH7/8467235513_9db7e84962_o.jpg tripod - Handsome Harvestman Opilio canestrinii ♀, ID-cred: E. Nurcombe Early morning stack shot in August 2012 of this unusually nice looking (though 7-legged) harvestman. I've seen some spectacular opiliones-species from warmer regions but the the ones appearing in Sweden tend to be rather drab (though I've always found them interesting nevertheless). This was stacked from 34 natural light exposures. (The original sequence consisted of roughly 70 images and included the perch but I much preferred this partial stack). Sony NEX-7, Olympus Zuiko Macro 80/4 on Olympus telescopic extension tube (cropped to ≈ 65%). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082225796-3P4HGAE0LAUF3KBU4QAS/8465814210_c8a21d2cf9_o.jpg tripod - Weevil on Raspberry Leaf Otiorynchus singularis ID-cred: Stanislav Snäll and T. Kujala Size: 7-8 mm Early morning stack of this medium sized weevil sitting on a backlit raspberry leaf. 65 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 3X, 0.6s, f/5.6, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082228536-T3STXGAYC9AG03MWOQNU/8294899498_4ba3c005f5_o.jpg tripod - Gymnosoma Gymnosoma cf. rotundatum, Tachinidae Size: 6 mm Early morning stack of this little parasitic fly on some unidentified dry flower head. 62 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082234895-O6ZUC7JD7L5YY7VOB7I1/8296986642_ebed2964aa_o.jpg tripod - Tenthredo Tenthredo sp., Tenthredinidae Size: 12 mm Early morning stack of this brightly colored sawfly. 82 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082239178-WLW0KBI8JEXZ4T14PRCE/8295063452_7fec1f9d1c_o.jpg tripod - Gymnosoma Gymnosoma cf. rotundatum, Tachinidae Size: 6 mm Early morning stack of this little parasitic fly on some unidentified dry flower head. 38 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082240918-EQ29NO47OIR30FWC1HYK/8288709524_af27d8e085_o.jpg tripod - Silver-spotted Skipper (frontal view) Hesperia comma, Hesperidae Size: 12 mm Early morning stack of this little butterfly on a wild thyme flower. Stacked from 55 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082252018-9X1FX8Y5NMO48ZSXCUSQ/8288175726_081eb2889e_o.jpg tripod - Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma, Hesperidae Size: 12 mm Early morning stack of this little butterfly on a wild thyme flower. Stacked from 86 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082252487-155R0B7KN1GZ4E2TNF94/8283530141_ac8021a2b4_o.jpg tripod - Metallic Ground Beetle Pterostichus cupreus, Carabidae Size: 11 mm Early morning stack of this nice looking ground beetle. 43 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene stacker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082270122-M4AG45UVSMQU0PCSKIXU/8283987052_a921937e8d_o.jpg tripod - Empis Empis cf. livida, Empididae Size: 8 mm Early morning stack of this worn dance fly specimen perched on a thistle leaf. Shot in August 2012 69 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene stacker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082276749-NDLLJGGG3JRU53KKNQFD/8277608881_e0800da37a_o.jpg tripod - Mimumesa ♀ Mimumesa cf. dahlbomi, (ID-cred: J. Abenius) Size: 7 mm A very small solitary wasp shot in August 2012. 70+1 exposures stacked in Zerene stacker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082285798-0IDE3PYWQQLV8PISSQHI/8275086614_98c101c405_o.jpg tripod - Green Shieldbug Nymph Palomena prasina, Pentatomidae Size: 6-7 mm Arguably one of the most abundant true bug species this region. This nymph was shot in August and was sitting on a Trifolium arvense-flower. Stacked from 60 natural light exposures in Zerene stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 1/5s, f5.0, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082294881-IQEKEVI44DM1A3OS85L4/8264739066_a3564ab22a_o.jpg tripod - Marsh Fly Tetanocera sp., Sciomyzidae (Sciomyzinae), ID-cred: P. Beuk Size: 8 mm The larvae of these flies prey on gastropods (snails and slugs). Early morning (as in 3.42 am) stack shot in June 2012 Stacked from 32 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 2.4X, 0.4s, f/5.0, ISO400 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082303126-7TSKLJHT0Y9RGDTUAVCV/8261975824_554b760555_o.jpg tripod - Bee Wasp Family: Gasteruptiidae (hoping for species ID from the experts!) Size: 7.5 mm This is a representative from the relatively small family of wasps called bee wasps (they parasitize solitary bees). 67 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 3.0X, 1/5s, f/5.6, ISO400 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082313049-8UR8SZLVRA43XXD6D6LD/8256655343_79ee84be74_o.jpg tripod - Fall Beetle Clytra quadripunctata, Chrysomelidae Size: 8 mm Early morning stack of this rather common beetle resting on a Plantago- bud. These beetles have interesting life cycles. The females drop their eggs from the vegetation above and around ants nets (Formica rufa-complex). The eggs resemble seeds and the ants carry them into their nests where the beetle larvae hatch, live, feed and grow until they pupate after 1-2 years. Stacked from 52 natural light exposures in Zerene stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 3X, 1/6s, f/5.0, ISO400 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082311791-2HYCC5ZGR7BGN874XQ08/8255196990_9a35bf5fa7_o.jpg tripod - Robber on leaf (frontal view) Didysmachus picipes ♀ (ID-cred: T. Froemel) Size: 14 mm Early morning stack of a robber fly resting on a sprouting birch leaf. Stacked from 36 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 3.0X, 0.4s, f/7.1, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082319171-LEMNY5AJDL2JU9UGA0M1/8253177568_1ce23f36f3_o.jpg tripod - Robber on leaf Didysmachus picipes ♀ (ID-cred: T. Froemel) Size: 14 mm Early morning stack of a robber fly resting on a sprouting birch leaf. 44 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 1.8X, 1/6s, f/6.3, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082326601-1J2Y5BVPV4YBV74IIDP5/8251253687_c4349c0e24_o.jpg tripod - Hanging Snout Moth Agriphila inquinatella, Pyralidae (Crambinae). ID-cred: Cs. Szabóky via Nikola Rahmé Size: 10-12 mm Small inconspicious moths like this one certainly belongs on the list of bugs that I feel least confident about trying to ID. This was shot in early August 2012 and stacked from 29 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX 7 + reversed Apo-Componon HM 60/4 on an Olympus telescopic extension tube. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082333214-DBWBULPMARB7VXB29400/8250438572_47919d150a_o.jpg tripod - Pseudo feet Geometridae (Geometer moth larva) Size: 21 mm The rear "feet" of a geometer moth larva ("inchworm") sitting on the catkin of a birch. They are not actual feet since they are not attached to the true legs (which are in the anterior part of the caterpillar) but they are quite capable nevertheless. Stacked from 55 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 4.3X, 1/13s, f/3.5, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082342196-NZYSQI4MBOFLHV06FA3Y/8248614679_eea86e560b_o.jpg tripod - Chrysolina A pair of Chrysolina varians, Chrysomelidae Size: 5 mm These beetles are commonly found on Hypericum (St. John's wort) in Sweden. Both adults and larvae feed on the plant. They can be tricky subjects since they are easily scared which cause them to release their grip and fall to the ground. Stacked from 29 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX 7 + Canon MP-E65 (1/4s, f/5.6, ISO200). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082346080-ZPMVCJMCOV98RLARFC2V/8243338207_bfcd96d93c_o.jpg tripod - Striped Slender Robber Leptogaster cylindrica, Asilidae Size: 16 mm Stacked from 31 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Shot in July 2012. You often find these robber flies resting with their second pair of legs suspended like this. Sony NEX 7 + Canon MP-E65 (1/4s, f/5.6, ISO200) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082353066-AA8FR13Q7V791OOMI837/8241570649_97cedcaba3_o.jpg tripod - Bee Fly Lomatia lateralis, Bombyliidae Size: 8-9 mm This is a red listed species in Sweden. Shot in August 2012 and stacked from 73 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX 7 + reversed Apo-Componon 60/4 on Olympus telescopic extension tube. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082350244-A131JTNZSE52489NXHOP/8236719591_7e41ff9239_o.jpg tripod - Bee Fly Lomatia lateralis, Bombyliidae Size: 8-9 mm This is a red listed species in Sweden. Shot in August 2012 and stacked from 86 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX 7 + reversed Apo-Componon 60/4 on Olympus telescopic extension tube. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082368969-9T7VUA51TKWG2PQPT3J1/8118358769_272291ceaf_o.jpg tripod - Frostbite Neodiprion sp. perhaps? Sawfly larva on a frosty pine twig. This was shot during an early morning session on October 12th. I'm not sure what kind of larva this is – hymenoptera or lepidoptera? I'm guessing the former. Moth larvae have several pairs of eyes while sawfly larvae only have a single pair. I was counting on being able to tell this from the images but it turns out to be quite a challenge do discern the number of eyes because of the frost. There was not a lot of bugs out in the open this morning but the conditions were still very nice. See below for more images from the occasion! Swedish version of the article available on makrofokus.se 67 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082368508-OMX2XEETZ481TFNKXV1S/8112468272_a0bfdcc339_o.jpg tripod - Metellina Female Metellina mengei, Tetragnathidae Body length: 5 mm A stack of the long-jawed orb-weaver. This time I let a few rays of direct sun hit the subject for a change. Shot in May 2012 and stacked from 43 natural light exposures in Zerene stacker. Canon 5DmkII with a Schneider Kreuznach Apo-Componon HM 60/4 reversed on Nikon PB-6 bellows. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082378493-YY4HM83XWQT86HFB3T5U/8103266755_494b023f2b_o.jpg tripod - Metellina Female Metellina mengei, Tetragnathidae Body length: 5 mm An intentionally "selective stack" of this little long-jawed orb-weaver on a dry grass spike. The initial sequence was "complete" and while there was no subject movement I did not like the final result (too flat) This was shot in May 2012 and stacked from 19 natural light exposures in Zerene stacker. Canon 5DmkII with a Schneider Kreuznach Apo-Componon HM 60/4 reversed on Nikon PB-6 bellows. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082378773-N679PQ1U82PXINLCA7GR/8097097325_61b9c6259f_o.jpg tripod - Fox moth caterpillar Fox moth, Macrothylacia rubi Size: 45 mm Early morning stack shot in late July 2012. 35 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene stacker. Sony NEX 7 + Olympus Zuiko Macro 80/4 on Olympus telescopic extension tube. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082391167-BQDW315W7U59PZ6L3L06/8089738537_b3ff3723b6_o.jpg tripod - Sundew Round-leafed sundew, Drosera rotundifolia This is the leaf a small carnivorous plant. The droplets are of some sticky substance which can trap small insects and provide the plant with supplementary nutrition. This was shot just a few days ago (October 12) and most of the Drosera-plants were wilted and covered in frost. We found only a few living specimens and most of them were really tiny (with leaves measuring 5 mm at the widest point). 37 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082391599-PDJKZGU0N0XO8W6M1FJ6/8082542432_a0b3ab6232_o.jpg tripod - Micro Craneflies Molophilus cf. ater, Limoniidae Body size: 3-4 mm It took me a while until I found someone who could help me ID these aphid-sized dipterans. I actually just assumed them to be long legged black aphids until I had a closer look and noticed the peculiar white haltere. 54 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene stacker. May 25, 2012. Carl Zeiss Luminar on Nikon PB-6 bellows. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082407307-DNQ18YZFGXOADIN0KR3D/8076536606_b1ea7f8743_o.jpg tripod - Backlit Theridiid Enoplognatha ovata, a Tangleweb spider (Theridiidae) on field garlic Allium oeraceum Many thanks to B. Edman for the spider ID! Body size: 5-6 mm Early morning stack shot in beginning of July 2012. 41 natural light exposures combined in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 0.3s, f/5.6, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082405176-YHP6KQGWKTHUXD16148N/8074163194_659a507ec7_o.jpg tripod - Playing the strings Yellow-winged darter, Sympetrum flaveolum Early morning stack from July 2012. 31 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 3.0X, 1/4s, f/5.6, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082415710-8UN5C1JERIE6GMQJMYF7/8062807862_335d4ffd16_o.jpg tripod - Sleeping Millipede Ommatoiulus sabulosus Size: 20 mm This species grows to be the largest millipede in Sweden (large females can reach 47 mm) but this was a rather small specimen. Stacked from 17 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon MP-E65 @ 3.2s, f/6.3, ISO400 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082419498-ENZBWP0KA918LQ5C2HNB/8015005758_3388d6efb2_o.jpg tripod - Ladybird in the morgue A frost covered Coccinella septempunctata "guarding" the cocoon and pupa of Dinocampus coccinellae – a parasitic wasp! Thanks Remo for shedding light on this fascinating relationship! See the comments below for more insight. It wasn't until viewing the stacked image on the computer screen that I noticed the pinkish furry thing beneath the abdomen of this ladybird. It seemed likely that that this could be the silk covered pupa of some parasite that had used the ladybird as a host. I wasn't sure though – perhaps it was just a coincidence that they occured together. This was shot in mid October 2011 and I had forgotten about it until Siegfried showed us a C. septempunctata in a recent post of his that show what appears to be an identical silk covered pupa sticking partially hidden beneath the ladybird's abdomen! Now I'm much more convinced that there is a connection! Stacked from 52 natural light exposures in Zerene stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Zeiss Luminar 63/4,5 on Nikon PB-6 bellows. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082426741-FJT97Q6YQ2DW6V1SF1AP/8014810335_84ef100af4_o.jpg tripod - Male Midge A non-biting midge, Chironomidae, male Size: 4 mm Early morning stack shot on May 21, 2012. 31 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene stacker. The entire sequence was 53 exposures which included the grass spike in focus as well, but I preferred this partial stack here. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 3.9X, 0.3s, f/5.0, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082430201-NXAJI60BPL4R84YHBPF8/8012240507_698c9de7b6_o.jpg tripod https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082434123-FJPCZ6IXQD35X19WA1JJ/7991876852_5db56d03ee_o.jpg tripod https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082448837-EUUS6G7KUPUF1A9AN550/7975768781_2a8198bf90_o.jpg tripod https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082465658-P2ZO6VY01XG5H2NNEBSJ/7923783370_e623149d3c_o.jpg tripod https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082477914-QMV9QHRXGBCPAI6DU4TL/7898864704_c683d2ecec_o.jpg tripod https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405082475132-H9A7CAEQG1O17WJVLBO6/7832126452_bf3c21284a_o.jpg tripod 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https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084664413-S54EVJIDMBT6464SB010/4203445570_90fd48f903_o.jpg tripod https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084666420-PVCFR1379CYMMEV776XW/4205147953_a7732ed9bb_o.jpg tripod https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084706877-UNNRNL3JY9US0Z5JSKPP/4638545611_c8680e3b56_o.jpg tripod https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084711426-C5BBQXV85G1PG02GBDLR/4638675082_7cb95629a4_o.jpg tripod https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081672315-2PTLVE000S0MS39YPPY5/13587698724_87969ecccf_o.jpg tripod - Hazel ♂|♀   Corylus avellana Hazel flowers are monoecious – the pollen is transferred by wind from the long hanging male catkins to the tiny (a few mm) pinkish females. They flower very early in the spring – these were shot now (April 2nd) and they are both well past their prime. Stacked from 20 and 42 frames respectively. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081664049-O46SJJK4TW0DCWGTD76K/13604865235_51128c1ef7_o.jpg tripod - Great minds think alike... ...instinctive behavior seldom differ?   In any case, this was a well chosen place to spend the night: it was one of very few places spared from severe frost. A tick Ixodes ricinus and a small spider (juvenile Tetragnatha sp.perhaps?) Body length: 3,5 mm   Early morning stack shot during just a few days ago. There was not much life around visible except from these two.   43 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 5X (slightly cropped), 1/5s, f/5.0, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1419182110939-DQMJQVSJNWENYSZUQ0SX/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Hornet Robberfly Asilus crabroniformis 28 mm Arguably the largest and most impressive fly species of northern Europe. They seem to constantly be on the hunt for prey and they don't hesitate to attack even large insects such as dragonflies. This summer I caught one in order to measure it's size. While handling it I was quite surprised when it actually managed to puncture the skin on my finger with its proboscis (not a pleasant feeling)! I've never experienced a robber using it's proboscis in defence before. This is a late evening stack from 18 natural light exposures. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 1.0X, 1/5s, f/5.0, ISO250 More info: https://flic.kr/p/qudUcM   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1421783975738-9ADO40ME3XV7TYORRCYP/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Mating Jewel Beetles Agrilus sp., Buprestidae 7-8 mm A mating jewel beetle couple on beaver felled aspen (Populus tremula). Stacked from 10 handheld mixed light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon 270EX with DIY diffuser, Canon MP-E65 @ 2.2X, 1/8s, f/6,3, ISO400 More on flickr: https://flic.kr/p/pUM2Vm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081649415-NTPAEZHXGS6KFUWU7AYV/13824665134_53790c9c93_o.jpg tripod - Cardinal Beetle Larva Pyrochroa coccinea larva   Size: 25 mm   Natural light stacks of this cardinal beetle larva found underneath the bark of an old willow (Salix caprea).   Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/53c277a6e4b04e59c5f15155/5639b5e8e4b00e82c567b2c8/1446623644092/ tripod https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081686698-488MS4W7VAMO0TSYRD44/13560835455_9e6e1214f5_o.jpg tripod - Vestigial Legs   Issoria lathonia, Nymphalidae Body length: 17 mm A closer (2.2X) view of the butterfly featured in the last couple of posts! In this image you can clearly see the vestigial front leg in its typical folded up state (with its knee just below the eye)! These guys are practically four-legged. 50 exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65@ 2.2X, 1/20s, f/5.6, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081652261-Y9KKHXRPXG90HH1VWVGC/13801605124_20d1491dd6_o.jpg tripod - Sign of spring? Melting frost crystals on a dry grass leaf from last year.   As the sun rises above the tree line the frost crystals melt in a matter of minutes. The dry grass in the background takes on a distinctly golden tone.   Stacked from 37 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker.   Canon 5DmkII + reversed Pentacon 50/1.8 on Olympus telescopic extension tube.   This image was shot as a part of a project where this 50mm lens is sent around the world to 50 different photographers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081638818-TNG6BCXH43E2SJIBMXNL/13921157443_d495f42220_o.jpg tripod - Frost Survivor Anthomyiidae (I think) Size: 6 mm   Found this fly slowly treading over this frosty stalk just as the sun was coming over the tree line. Minutes later all the frost was gone. I'm guessing the fly had spent the night in a slighly more sheltered place and emerged at the first sight of sunlight.   19 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker.   Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 2.4X, 1/5s, f/5.6, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081669903-GL9I4LW8TGCGWCP4JZVR/13801234144_429e4e16e7_o.jpg tripod - Frost Grass leaf covered in frost. Nights and early mornings are still cold here in Stockholm, Sweden (April 2014)!   37 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker   Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081718048-7PNAR9RPHM666BB9YMXI/13196512765_a9d770743a_o.jpg tripod - Gymnosoma from behind   Gymnosoma sp., Tachinidae Size: 6 mm This was shot in 2012 but I've disregarded it because of wing movements causing major artifacts in the stacking process. I revisited it now and applied the local stacking technique (described this an earlier post») which solved the problems I was having. So, think twice before throwing problematic stacking sequences away – who knows what we'll be able to fix in the future :) 73 natural light expoures stacked in Zerene Stacker. It moved both wings independently so I had to run two separate local stacks. Canon 5DmkII, Nikon PB-6 bellows, reversed Apo-Componon 40/2,8. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081725411-WKKIPR3MW28VN0AYYWHT/12720202695_dd6026f42c_o.jpg tripod - Small Soldier Fly Stratiomyidae. Possibly Microchrysa sp. Size: 5 mm   A single exposure of a little soldier fly taking a sip of dew from this dry grass spike.   The fly was quite active but I did get a couple of short stacks as well. In this case I preferred this "single" image. It's f/8 but manually patched with a few pixels from an otherwise identical f/5.6 exposure (for less diffraction in the focused parts).   Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 4.3X, 1s, f/5.5 & f/8, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1419352738828-R5CAFG8NQJL8LP544GJC/image-asset.jpeg tripod - World's most photographed beetle? Coccinella septempunctata Size: 8 mm Certainly not the most exotic coleopteran out there, but I kind of like the mood in this one. Early morning stack shot back in June. It was a rather windy morning but the light was nice – not too even, not too harsh. 21 frames stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 1/6s, f/6,3, ISO200 More info: https://flic.kr/p/qvw4Eb   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1419272885059-XYAUCZZRTL984OQZET00/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Hornet Robberfly II Asilus crabroniformis 28 mm This is the large robberfly featured in the previous post from a different perspective and in a more active pose. This stack was shot in the evening and is rendered from 31 natural light exposures combined in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 1.0X, 1/5s, f/8.0, ISO400 More info: http://flic.kr/p/quJdn3     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1419182058118-S0QKW1WC7XK8Z5F6ETYZ/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Ruby Whiteface II Leucorrhinia rubicunda Size: 35 mm Wide angle close-up of the dragonfly from the last post. Shot 05:33 a summer morning at my favorite spot, with a Sony NEX-7 and the cheap but well performing little kit-zoom (18-55 mm 3,5-5,6 OSS @ 19 mm, 1/30s, f/11, ISO400 ) https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnhallmen/16055023751/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081700899-GD58Q385MCJUWF0TSTHD/13538649113_a466587c0d_o.jpg tripod - Queen of Spain Fritillary   Issoria lathonia, Nymphalidae Body length: 17 mm Early morning stack of this butterfly resting on dry filipendula. This migrating species fluctuates significantly in numbers from year to year here in Sweden. Generally it's rather scarce but some years they show up in larger numbers. This was shot in 2013 (August) which I think would qualify as a mediocre year for this species in Sweden. Stacked from 26 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII + Canon MP-E65 @ 1X, 1/100s, f/5, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1421784580203-06YYBS238GSOEC5M9I9P/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Sympecma Winter Damselfly, Sympecma fusca Early morning stack shot in May 2014 during a macro workshop I held. Some tricky direct sunlight hitting the subject from behind/left. Obviously this would have been easy to diffuse/shade but I wanted to capture how the sun highlighted the fine hairs on head and thorax and the well defined leg shadow on the grass. 23 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 2.2X, 0.4s, f/6.3, ISO200   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1419002596420-OTOBPYLM90K0CCRML0RL/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Ruby Whiteface Leucorrhinia rubicunda Size: 35 mm Early morning stack of this Ruby Whiteface, shot in June 2014. Stacked from 19 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Nikon PB-6 bellows, Apo-Componon 90/4,5. https://flic.kr/p/qbjVb9 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081699358-XAYRN896FRBVY9ZDF5KN/13559736874_af7dff4715_o.jpg tripod - Queen of Spain Fritillary II   Issoria lathonia, Nymphalidae Body length: 17 mm Normally I wouldn't post two such similar images but in this case I thought it was interesting to note how the light changed in just 10 minutes. Here, the sun has come up more and it's now shining on the meadow in the background. In this time, while I was busy with another subject, the butterfly had moved to a slightly higher position but still remained on the same plant. 25 exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 1X, 1/80s, f/5.6 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1443778116422-48TYW12W0K3V5NE1PPFI/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Pearly Heath on Allium Coenonympha arcania, pearly heath Wingspan ≈ 35 mm I peculiar detail that I didn't notice while shooting this, is how it got its proboscis curled around its leg. Stacked from 17 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Sigma 180/3.5 @ 0.5s, f/11, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1425141715974-NRSTCQ2HX8WIW1KMNK9J/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Robber and noctuid eggs Machimus (Tolmerus) atricapillus Size: 15 mm This grass spike was almost completely covered in noctuid (moth) eggs. I don't think this robber fly took much notice though. Stacked from 10 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. A few additional shots in the first comment on flickr, including one showing the setup. Canon 5DmkII, Schneider-Kreuznach Apo-Componon 90/4,5 (reversed), Nikon PB-6 bellows.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1447788964268-79R2KXH81J89Y10OT8OL/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Hylaeus Bee ♀ Hylaeus confusus, Colletidae (ID-cred: G. Holmström) Size: 7 mm These little bees have interesting front legs. They appear smaller and weaker than the the remaining four legs and are often kept elevated like in this image. I've noticed they often use them for cleaning etcetera, so they are certainly not useless. Still, they remind me a little of the vestigial front legs you'll find in certain butterfly species. This is another stack shot during my trip to the isolated island Gotska Sandön in the Baltic sea. Stacked from 17 natural light exposures in Zerene stacker. Sony NEX-7, Canon MP-E65 @ f/5.6, 0.5s, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1453466471530-MR9HPCJ2V8Q0RRK2MOSM/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Framed bee Melittidae? Size: 8 mm Early morning stack from mid July 2015. I thought this bee had framed itself so nicely I couldn't resist shooting it from this angle. When I was done with the sequence I wanted to turn it around in my subject clamp in order to shoot it laterally and dorsally for ID-purposes. However, I was clumsy and nudged the clamp with my foot. When I looked up the bee was gone, so this is all I have... 29 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Sigma 180/3,5 @ f/8, 1/5s, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1443024859413-LKN7BQLI4U0N1IWQ7U7T/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Xysticus on Geranium ♀ Xysticus cf. cristatus (Thomisidae) ID-cred: T. Holmgren Size: 8 mm A female crab spider on the colorful leaves of Geranium macrorrhizum. Despite the fall colors this image was actually taken in mid July. Judging from the girth of her abdomen I'm guessing this spider is about to lay eggs. Stacked from 14 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Sigma 180/3.5 @ 1/20s, f/8, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1442578179502-FM2WU7HYSS5GIVTYFPSX/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Megachilid on rose II ♂ Megachile willughbiella Size: 8-9 mm A closer view of the bee from the previous post. The bee is "waking up" here and paused it's morning grooming enough for me to shoot a quick sequence of shots. Shortly after shooting this, it wiped it's antennae and flew away as shown in this youtube clip. The enlarged hairy front legs are used to cover the eyes of the female during the mating ritual. Stacked from 29 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7 + Canon MP-E65 @ 4X, 1/6s, f/7.1, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1442481594147-IC61OFGYD4Z0S3MO8K63/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Megachilid on rose ♂ Megachile willughbiella Size: 8-9 mm The enlarged hairy front legs are used to cover the eyes of the female during the maing ritual. Stacked from 31 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Sigma 180/3.5 @ slightly below 1:1, 1/30s, f/8.0, ISO100. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1421002613610-0NBZYJ1WBBVTU17NH95P/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Large Mayfly Ephemera vulgata ♂ (ID-cred: C. Raper) Ephemeridae Size: 19 mm These spend 2-3 years as larvae but very short time as adults (a few days). They do not feed as adults (and lack functioning mouthparts) but are completely focused on reproduction. In essence, they finish off their life as flying genitals. Stacked from 25 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 1X (slightly cropped), 1/20s, f/5.6, ISO200 Here I've experimented with a polarizer as well (since the sun was causing some troublesome highlights). Not something I typically do but perhaps worth considering from time to time.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1447788901081-H4IBTQ4FKVJWMW64R263/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Fox Moth II ♂ Macrothylacia rubi Wingspan ≈ 60 mm A frontal view of the fox moth I posted a dorsal view of a couple of weeks ago. Stacked from 45 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Sigma 180/3,5 @ 1/6s, f/8, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1447789059335-I03W94JWOHG414N5Z180/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Postfire forest Neoitamus sp. (Asilidae), (ID-cred: P. Hall & M. Persson) Size: 13 mm This was shot during a trip to a huge wildfire area in June. The forest fire raged in the summer of 2014 and was declared a national emergency, eventually encompassing 17,000 hectares. Though this fire was of course a traumatic event for many local residents it has undeniably created an interesting and valuable environment from a biological standpoint. Especially since a fairly large portion of the fire area has now been protected as a natural reserve, many species will benefit from the fire. Stanislav and I have made a few trips to this area and this was shot during an early morning session in June this year. We found plenty of these fairly small robberflies scattered in the singed pine twigs. The dark background is a tree stump, turned into charcoal by the fire. Stacked from 30 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Canon MP-E65 @ f/5.6, 1/4s, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1449266572614-RS573WHSW6EOF0E8YBKW/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Sleeping on Bedstraw A cuckoo wasp Holopyga generosa sleeping on lady's bedstraw (Galium verum) Size: 7 mm During this very dark season I've found processing summer shots to have an almost therapeutic effect! This is an early morning stack from July 2015. Stacked from 29 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Canon MP-E65 @ f/6.3, 0.5s, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1445423563817-7TG2RJNRZ8TE7QYQG8BS/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Gaurotes virginea Gaurotes virginea, Cerambycidae Size: 10 mm Early morning stack of this little long horn beetle on a cow parsely flower (Anthriscus sylvestris). Stacked from 55 natural light exposures in Zerene stacker. Sony NEX-7, Canon MP-E65 @ 0.4s, f/6,3, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1445005622599-Z56HC189JOMX8ESXJ20O/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Ladybug on fern Cocinella septempunctata, Seven spot ladybird 8 mm I've already dubbed it the world's most photographed beetle in a previous post so I wasn't sure about posting this one. But... this was such a beutiful specimen and it's perched on the underside of a fern leaf, packed with sori. Stacked from 39 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 2.2X, 1/5s, f/5.6, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1432189715201-TCLCNUIK491DWHGWPBTK/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Fairy Moth ♂ Adela cuprella Adelidae 7.5 mm The most prominent feature of these little moths is arguably their very long antennae. In males they are several times longer than the body – see comment section for a lower magnification view. On closer inspection I think I find their metallic scales to be an even more attractive feature though. Stacked from 27 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Canon MP-E65 @ 3.7X, 1/15s, f/5.6 and f/7.1, ISO200   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1450711840372-LGRIXX7O2A2HLHVJASVT/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Tanbark Borer Phymatodes testaceus, longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) Size: 16 mm This year I encountered this beautiful Cerambycid several times. Typically you'll find this species on the underside of large oak logs during warm summer days, but this one was nicely perched on this lichen-covered branch early in the morning – practically begging to be photographed. It looks pristine with every little hair intact and vivid coloration so I'm guessing it's a newly hatched specimen. It's a variable species in terms of coloration but this is probably the most common variety. Stacked from 45 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Sigma 180/3.5 @ 1/8s, f/7,1, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1444559865997-CH6G53A2Z55SYUCGK0LR/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Full Spectrum Wasp Holopyga cf. generosa, Cuckoo wasp Size: 7 mm These little wasps are always a delight to find. Their colors are truly astonishing. This one proved to be a bit of a challange to get a successful stacking sequence of and I ended up having to manually combine the results from two similar but separate stacking sequences. One was 24 exposures @ 1/20, f/5.6, ISO100. The other was 25 exposures @ 1/15, f/7.1, ISO200. Sony NEX-7, Canon MP-E65 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1453466710401-IL4A9Q7C1D8CUY8BXU88/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Aromia Sunrise II Aromia moschata, Musk beetle Size: 30 mm This is the musk beetle form the last post shot from a different angle. I was able to turn the entire perch 120°, so all that really changed was the angle of the light – but that obviously makes a huge difference! Stacked from 17 exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 5DmkII, Sigma 180/3.5 @ 0.4s, f/11, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1453466777584-3H28D5S1SDSRCKLHX226/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Aromia Sunrise Aromia moschata, Musk beetle Size: 30 mm Arguably one of the most beautiful beetles in Europe. In this shot you can't see the metallic coloration but I think the silhuette is quite elegant as well. I found this specimen nicely perched on this Tanacetum (tancy) an early morning in July. As I was experimenting with different angles my liveview display suddenly flashed white and as I adjusted the exposure I saw this as my lens caught a thin ray of the rising sun, filtered through the trees and vegetation in the background. So, the bright patch is a large out of focus highlight caused by the wide aperture setting. I should say that I'm not at all a fan of the elaborate out of focus highlights celebrated in some circles. But I liked the jagged texture caused by the light being filtered through vegetation here. Single shot at f/4.5 except for the antennae which were manually stacked from two additional exposures. Canon 5DmkII, Sigma 180/3.5 @ f/4.5, 1/60s, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1453466256222-SRB21AKF44RHQ6MDQN2S/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Baby Crab Spider A tiny crab spiderling Misumena vatia, hiding on a Knautia arvensis flower. And as a bonus: a mating couple of six-spot burnets, Zygaena filipendulae, 17 mm. Oh, those smug lepidopterans – always trying to steal the show! I'm simply not encouraging that. Stacked from 37 natural light exposures shot on a breezy morning in late July. Canon 5DmkII, Sigma 180/3.5 @ 0.8s, f/10, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1678234752417-HQTSISYPEVDXY1IWRIXL/image-asset.jpeg tripod - Small syrphid fly Eristalinus aenus Stacked from 50 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker Olympus EM-1mkII, M.Zuiko 60/2.8, Raynox DCR-250 Klista Ängar i Nackareservatet, Stockholm, Sweden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1480020766203-6YVJAP4LAVYZPKSCUHND/retouched+3675-3727-1-Redigera-Redigera-Redigera-2.jpg tripod - Sawfly on Blackthorn Tenthredo sp. (possibly T. arcuata) 10 mm Early morning encounter with this wasp-mimicking sawfly, perched on a blackthorn twig (Prunus spinosa). Stacked from 40 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Canon 760D + Canon MP-E65 @1/8s, f/6.3, ISO200 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1478434103058-P8Y9LANE0HYC3TROFNKB/_MG_2411-3.jpg tripod - Chrysotoxum festivum II Chrysotoxum festivum ♂ 12 mm This is a stopped down single exposure cropped from a vertical image so the resolution isn't on par with that of a stacked image. Canon 760D, Canon 100/2.8 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1461584290296-O9O9O9QC0CKBCJD7LZB7/retouched+3877-3890-1-Redigera-Redigera-Redigera-2.jpg tripod - Morning Stretch Leptogaster cylindrica ♂, Asilidae, Slender robberfly 14 mm This slender robberfly displays the characteristic resting pose of this species. Robberflies are typically very robust but this genus (Leptogaster) has this delicate appearence. Slender robberflies seem perfectly adapted to vertical perches such as grass and I don't recall ever seeing one on a horizontal surface. Shot in July 2015 and stacked from 13 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. Sony NEX-7, Sigma 180/3.5 @ 1/4s, f/7.1, ISO100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1461584077925-1XGYB935O8NIY2KQOXZG/retouched+0277-0298-Redigera-Redigera-Redigera-2.jpg tripod - Tanbark Borer on Oak Phymatodes testaceus, longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) Size: 16 mm Stacked from 35 natural light exposures in Zerene Stacker. 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Archive https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405084726153-OVU7ZN1JTDFEUPHV9TYR/4742296674_e8d8b1fef1_o.jpg Archive https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bfb7fde4b0655cd6a94155/1405081798319-LB6DN4EZ1BYF4PW66J5Z/12274542206_423c52019b_o.jpg Archive - Cylindromyia   Cylindromyia sp., Tachinidae Size: 7,5 mm The parasitic flies in this genus are quite elegant. This was a rather small specimen. 32 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker (last one stopped down considerably). 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