more insect photos [View all]
I hope y'all don't mind me posting more of these images. I haven't had time to get out much so I'm taking studio portraits of insects from my university collection.
The ten lined June beetle, Polyphylla decemlineata:
A mummified (and zombie) ten lined June beetle larva, infected and killed by Ophiocordyceps ravenelii, an entomophagus fungus. I'm not certain about the fungal identification-- this is on the northern California Pacific coast. The fruiting bodies emerge from the grub's head. Remember that parasite emergence scene from Ridley Scott's first Alien movie?
Dasymutilla aureola, a cow killer velvet ant (a wingless wasp, actually, at least the females). That pointy bit is fearsome.
Cicindela sexguttata, the six spotted tiger beetle. I love iridescent beetles!
As always, there are more photos at original resolution at https://mcamann.smugmug.com . I hope you enjoy them!
= new reply since forum marked as read
