Weevil

[Sharnbrook (Mike)]

As I submitted an article on Macro earlier in the week, I thought I might post some shots of a weevil that I found in the garden today. I had been going up to Hazeldene for a spot of viewing tonight, but with the iffy weather, I thought I could look at clouds here in Brisbane, rather than travel 110km each way to do the same thing.

So, I thought I would spend some time photographing ground based objects.

I don't know what species this is, and with over 8000 weevils in Oz, it would be pointless trying to guess, but it was quite smart, even if you couldn't classify it as beautiful. At about 20mm long, it was very obliging, and finally flew off into the dusk.

Taken with my 300D, Canon's 100mm macro lens, ISO of 200, Sigma flash + diffuser, 1/200th sec at f11 to f14, and possibly with extension tubes. Levels and other minor adjustments, including cropping and resizing in Photoshop 7

[iceman (Mike)]

Wow, amazing images Mike. Great colour and DOF.

[RB (Andrew)]

Awesome shots Mike !!!
I love the 2nd and 3rd ones especially.
You've done a marvelous job as usual.

Keep posting more and I might get inspired to try some animal kingdom macro shots too.
I've never really gotten into it that much.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Fabulous shot Mike.

It's called a Botany Bay Weevil or Diamond Weevil or Beetle (Chrysolopus spectabilis) to the rest of us Australians. We often find many of them on the local Black Wattle. I don't know if they feed off them or just like to roost there.

[Sharnbrook (Mike)]

Thanks Mike Andrew and Paul for the comments. (And not a dog or a bum in sight. In joke for Mods)

After I had posted the shots, I did a bit more research on the species, and found out what Paul has said, ie that it's a Botany Bay weevil. But here is the interesting bit. Apparently, it was the first Australian insect ever collected and described, and that honour belonged to Fabricus in 1775. They do in fact live off the black wattle, rather than roost there.

[ving (David)]

top stuff! so damn colourful i need sunglasses to look at it!

sharp as too!

[bloodhound31]

WOW! Number two and three! Just awesome shots mate. What a little show-off that bug is!

Baz.

[lacad01 (Adam)]

Great shots Mike, ugly little critters but beautiful colours