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The Beauty and the Beast(s)


The Beauty and the Beast(s)
Photo Information
Copyright: Paras Bhalla (parasbhalla) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 486 W: 0 N: 1467] (6137)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-07-21
Categories: Nature
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-P150
Exposure: f/2.8, 1/160 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-08-23 0:37
Viewed: 106
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Information on Ladybug from "WiKiPedia":

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Coccinellidae is a family of beetles, known variously as ladybirds (British English, Australian English, South African English), ladybugs (North American English) or lady beetles (preferred by some scientists). Lesser-used names include ladyclock, lady cow, and lady fly.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Superfamily: Cucujoidea
Family: Coccinellidae
(Latreille, 1807)

They are small insects, ranging from 1 mm to 10 mm (0.04 to 0.4 inches), and are commonly yellow, orange, or scarlet with small black spots on their wing covers, with black legs, head and antennae. A very large number of species are mostly or entirely black, grey, or brown and may be difficult for non-entomologists to recognize as coccinellids (and, conversely, there are many small beetles that are easily mistaken as such, like tortoise beetles).

Coccinellids are found worldwide, with over 5,000 species described, more than 450 native to North America alone.

A few species are pests in North America and Europe, but they are generally considered useful insects as many species feed on aphids or scale insects, which are pests in gardens, agricultural fields, orchards, and similar places. The Mall of America, for instance, releases thousands of ladybugs into its indoor park as a natural means of pest control for its gardens.

Biology:

Coccinellids are typically predators of Hemiptera such as aphids and scale insects, though conspecific larvae and eggs can also be important resources when alternative prey are scarce. Members of the subfamily Epilachninae are herbivores, and can be very destructive agricultural pests (e.g., the Mexican bean beetle). While predatory species are often used as biological control agents, introduced species of ladybirds (such as Harmonia axyridis or Coccinella septempunctata in North America) outcompete and displace native coccinellids and become pests in their own right.

Coccinellids are often brightly colored to ward away potential predators. This phenomenon is called aposematism and works because predators learn by experience to associate certain prey phenotypes with a bad taste (or worse). Mechanical stimulation (such as by predator attack) causes "reflex bleeding" in both larval and adult ladybird beetles, in which an alkaloid toxin is exuded through the joints of the exoskeleton, deterring feeding. Ladybugs, as well as other Coccinellids are known to spray a venomous toxin to certain mammals and other insects when threatened.

Most coccinellids overwinter as adults, aggregating on the south sides of large objects such as trees or houses during the winter months, and dispersing in response to increasing day length in the spring. In Harmonia axyridis, eggs hatch in 3–4 days from clutches numbering from a few to several dozen. Depending on resource availability, the larvae pass through four instars over 10–14 days, after which pupation occurs. After a teneral period of several days, the adults become reproductively active and are able to reproduce again, although they may become reproductively quiescent if eclosing late in the season.

It is thought that certain species of Coccinellids lay extra infertile eggs with the fertile eggs. These appear to provide a backup food source for the larvae when they hatch. The ratio of infertile to fertile eggs increases with scarcity of food at the time of egg laying.

(Source: WiKipedia)
harpya, jjanczyk, taftabit, alper2702, mikolaj_cava, tanburi, chrisJ has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • chrisJ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4229 W: 414 N: 6657] (42097)
  • [2009-08-23 0:46]

Guten Tag Paras

An interesting macro that justapositions the ladybird nicely, against the less attractive aphids. Very good use of a shallow dof with impeccable colour & sharpness. Have a great week!

hello Paras
how are you doing?
this is a nice macro shot nut a little oversharpened i suppose
good focus
nice cross frame placement
there is another TL member from India "Deepak Khurana", he is also specialised in to macro. must see his gallery if your get time.
http://www.treklens.com/members/deepakk/photos/

regards
Manuj Mehta

Hello Paras,
Perfect coccinella and aphids compopsition. Stunning details of both of them
TFS
Selahattin E

Hello Paras! Perfect macro, ideal light and colours, ideal sharp. Good exposure. Well done!

  • Great 
  • sela Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 479 W: 1 N: 472] (3756)
  • [2009-08-23 1:34]

HI Paras, what a very interesting image and I love the title.Very well done.
Regards Rose

Hi Paras
Its an amazing title you've choosed here
Good focus and colors, one of sharp razors is a little bit distracting the view, also the noise of background can be remove easily.
Best wishes
Alireza

Hello Paras
Very good macro shot of the ladybug feasting on the aphids. Great color & sharpness. Tfs!
Best regards Siegfried

hi paras,,, nice shot with good composition... hope you help the beauty after taking this pic :) .... well done regards Harout.

  • Great 
  • jone Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2239 W: 172 N: 0] (28892)
  • [2009-08-23 4:29]

Hi Paras ;)
nice title ;)))
Original composition...TFS
Best regards,
J ;)

Hello Paras

Excellent macro shot.
Very nice and interesting details.
Vey well work
Regards

Faruk

Hi Paras!
very interesting macro!
great composition....
i like the blurred thorns...
the colors are lovely...
great work...
take care and have a nice day;)
Alper

Good macro, excellent colors, good foreground, hugs

Ciao Paras. What interesting situation! Good compo.

Roberto

hey Paras
very interesting moment
great capture
TFS
T

Hello,
Magnificent macro shot!
Perfect sharpness of the ladybug and the insects.
Beautiful colours and great light.
Lovely composition and nice presentation.
TFS

Salam Paras Bhai,
What an amazing macro vith excellent colours, light and details.TFS.
Viele grüsse,

hAyAti

  • Great 
  • AKITA Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1011 W: 81 N: 66] (12226)
  • [2009-08-23 17:36]

dear Paras,
if the stars on her back are seven, the lady is killer and eater of these small bugs.
in Japan, people think this seven stars ladybird is good insect for us.
anyway, an interesting and beautiful shot of the life of this lady.
maybe these thorns and bugs are a meaningful part of her life.
orange and green are natural vivid contrast indeed.
thank you,
Akihisa

  • Great 
  • harpya Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5693 W: 197 N: 2450] (9667)
  • [2009-08-24 14:18]

Ciao Paras,


Bug's Life.
Excellent visual and super image definition!
And the delicate ladybug is captured with
such fine details, amazing ...
Tight framing works well here,
and the colors are very attractive!
Greetings,

Sergio

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