Τropinota hirta

Written by Webmaster Monday, 21 June 2010 00:00

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"A photograph is usually looked at - seldom looked into."  Ansel Adams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Τropinota hirta (Family: Scarabaeidae; common name: Apple blossom beetle)

This is a true scarab beetle found in the Mediterranean region quite often. Although we had many shots of the adult animal, it was only lately that we managed to take some shots of an adult with its brood. We captured a colony of these scarab beetles feeding on an Onopordum tauricum while their youngsters, almost invisible in their off white dress have flooded the whole flower. It should be noted that the growth rate of the young at this age is tremendous, they can literally double in size within days. The colouration of the adult animal may not be as striking as this of other beetles however the combination of the overall black decorated with white spots and the golden "hair" create an impressive sight.

Photos by Dimitris Magarakis

Shooting Data:

1. Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: AF Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/250 sec - f/22, Manual mode
Flash: set of SB-800 / SB900 flash units remotely operated.
Image: NEF edited in Lightroom, levels adjusted, sharpening added saved as JPEG and resized.  

2. Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: AF Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/250 sec - f/22, Manual mode
Flash: set of SB-800 / SB900 flash units remotely operated.
Image: NEF edited in Lightroom, levels adjusted, sharpening added saved as JPEG and resized.

Photos by Marina Parha and George J. Reclos

3. Camera: Nikon D3x
Lens: AF Tamron 180mm f/3.5 Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60 sec - f/11, Aperture priority mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL/BL mode with diffuser dome on.
Image: NEF edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added saved as JPEG and resized.

4. Camera: Nikon D3x
Lens: AF Tamron 180mm f/3.5 Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60 sec - f/11, Aperture priority mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL/BL mode with diffuser dome on.
Image: NEF edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added saved as JPEG and resized.

5. Camera: Nikon D3x
Lens: AF Tamron 180mm f/3.5 Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 100
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/250 sec - f/11, Manual mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL/BL mode with diffuser dome on.
Image: NEF edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added saved as JPEG and resized.

 

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