John Hallmén

♂ 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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).

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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%).

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

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.

Tenthredo sp., Tenthredinidae

Size: 12 mm


Early morning stack of this brightly colored sawfly.


82 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene Stacker.

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.

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.

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.

Pterostichus cupreus, Carabidae

Size: 11 mm


Early morning stack of this nice looking ground beetle.


43 natural light exposures stacked in Zerene stacker.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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).

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

...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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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/

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

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

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

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

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

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.

♀ 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

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

♀ 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

♂ 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

♂ 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.

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.

♂ 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

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

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

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

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

♂ 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

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

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

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

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

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