2023 - Photography Archives - Insect Week

Competition 2023 – Photography – 18 and over – Rosa Dunbar – (2) Lacewing Larvae.

Second image…

The junk bug, a voracious predator in the insect world, earns its name by wearing plant matter and the exoskeletons of past victims on its back as part of an intricate camouflage to deceive predators.

Competition 2023 – Photography – 18 and over – Leela Channer – (1) European mantis

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A praying mantis saluting the evening sun

Competition 2023 – Photography – 18 and over – Marco Chan – (1) Loepa sp.

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A golden emperor moth rests on a perch after gliding in the summer night

Competition 2023 – Photography – Under 18 years – Jamie Smart – (2) Robberfly

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I was up early one morning and decided to have a wander around our wild garden with my camera when I saw this fly on the end of an awn of grass. I didn't realise until looking on the computer that he was actually eating another fly! Double whammy!

Competition 2023 – Photography – 18 and over – Luke Chambers – (3) Sicus ferrugineus

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Male and female Ferruginous Bee-grabbers (Sicus ferrugineus) embraced in a post-mating cuddle. The smaller male is actually mate guarding, making sure no other potential suiters ruins their evening. Handheld focus stack.

Competition 2023 – Photography – 18 and over – Luke Chambers – (2) Epeolus variegatus

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Two Cuckoo Bees (Epeolus variegatus) fast asleep, grasping onto the grass with their mandibles. Still with a few drops of morning dew on them. Handheld focus stack.

Competition 2023 – Photography – 18 and over – Luke Chambers – (1) Philanthus triangulum

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Behaviour I hadn't witnessed, seen, or read about online. A female European Beewolf (Philanthus triangulum) hastily squeezing the nectar out of a paralysed Honey Bee (Apis mellifera), and consuming it for herself. Handheld focus stack.

Competition 2023 – Photography – 18 and over – Panagiotis Dalagiorgos – (2) Mantis religiosa

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A Mantis religiosa among some Cyclamen graecum ssp. graecum.

Competition 2023 – Photography – 18 and over – Panagiotis Dalagiorgos – (1) Iris oratoria

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An Iris oratoria on a branch shot with a shallow depth of field.

Competition 2023 – Photography – 18 and over – Pete Burford – (1) Damselfly

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here is a Damselfly covered in Dew in the middle of the night. Insects are cold blooded, so as the temperature cools at night, they are unable to move. Dew then sticks to the Damselfly and covers it completely.