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Summer ends, so time to leave!


Summer ends, so time to leave!
Photo Information
Copyright: Paras Bhalla (parasbhalla) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 480 W: 0 N: 1453] (6093)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-07-28
Categories: Nature, Macro
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-P150
Exposure: f/5.2, 1/150 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): The little world of ladybugs :) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-09-04 10:31
Viewed: 184
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Information on Ladybug from "WiKiPedia" free web dictionary:

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.
ayse51, harpya, alper2702, Niva, shaukatmi, Royaldevon, hay_kes, brunorsantana, Sharpshooter, CallMeMaria, tanburi, nazirbadar has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Niva: thanksparasbhalla 2 09-05 03:52
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Critiques [Translate]

Nice macro beautiful colors and details.
Zoran

Hello Paras,
The way you have presented the image, it is excellently done.
The reproduction of colors appears to be very natural.
Details of Ladybug are excellently shown.
excellent macro picture with a very useful note.
Regards
Nazir

Hello Paras,
Good title and well composed image, clear and well contrasted colors of bug and environment
TFS
Selahattin E

Hi Paras,
Excellent sharpness, beautiful colors!
TFS
Regards,
Lurdes

Hi Paras,
Nice spotting! This looks very sharp and clear, good idea with the composition. I like the lighting and subtle reflection on the ladybugs back. Great work.

TFS,
Scott.

Olá, Paras!

Nice shot, title and notes. Beautiful colors and details. Good crop, fine presentation. Well done job, my friend! Congratulations and TFS!

Abraços,
Bruno

Salam Paras Bhaijaan,
What a superb macro vith sharpness, colours and details are very good..TFS.
Namaste,

hAyAti

Hello Paras,
magnifique, la couleur brillante accentue les détails, bravo.
Amicalement
Yolande

Hello Paras,

I have seen very few ladybirds this year so it is even sadder to see this one with its back towards me ... leaving!
Your capture of the smooth, hard texture of the wing case is fine, as is the lovely diagonal composition created by the leaf and the b/g bokeh.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

Hello, Paras. This lady bug colors look so sharp and pretty against the flowers. Well composed , neat and sharp. Well done my friend. Keep up the good work for TL members.

  • Great 
  • AKITA Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1008 W: 81 N: 66] (12198)
  • [2009-09-04 23:48]

dear Paras,
the orange dressed lady in the white palace,
maybe she lost her way to home...
back figure, even of beautiful lady, shows us a melancholic feeling.
the sun already being in old age, her orange back suggests it.
thank you for your excellent shot,
Akihisa

wow very nice and sharp macroshot. Nature is amazing !
the title is well choosen. Bravo !

regards, willie

  • Great 
  • Niva Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1149 W: 2 N: 838] (10447)
  • [2009-09-05 3:07]
  • [+]

Ein wunderschönes Aufnahme, Lieber Paras!
Aber Du hast nicht uns gesagt wie kann man auf Deustch the "ladybug" sagen ?... Ich habe doch keine Ahrnung leider ...
In Brasilien wir sagen " joaninha " . (Kompliziert , oder? hehehe!)
Ein Umarmung und Tschüsss !
Nivaldo

Hi Paras!
great macro shot!
wonderful composition...the white leaf is perfect plain background for the ladybug...great colors...nice sharp details...
regards,
Alper

Ciao Paras,


Our friend here is wonderful!
Colorful!
Well composed!
Her expression is well captured,
performance in this fine portrait ...

Greetings,

Sergio

  • Great 
  • jone Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2237 W: 172 N: 0] (28850)
  • [2009-09-05 5:42]

Hi Paras ;)
Excellent close up composition...Comliments...
Best wishes,
J ;)

  • Great 
  • vanda Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 231 W: 0 N: 238] (1680)
  • [2009-09-06 15:03]

Hello Paras,
Very nice picture.
Perfect light with clarity.
Well done.
Ciao. Vanda

Hi Paras,
beautiful ladybug. Good macro. The details are excellent. the light is well managed. Compliments for your beautiful gallery.
Ciao Marilena

  • Great 
  • ayse51 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1683 W: 124 N: 1437] (20268)
  • [2009-09-12 11:41]

Hi Paras,
great macro,great contrast between colours.WEll composed.Well presented.TFS.Necla.

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