Metamorphosis (Ladybug)
Metamorphosis (Ladybug)
Written by Monday, 20 October 2008 00:00
“Nature often holds up a mirror so we can see more clearly the ongoing processes of growth, renewal, and transformation in our lives.” Mary Ann Brussat
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Henosepilachna elaterii (Rossi, 1794). (Class: Insects, Order: Coleoptera, Family: Coccinellidae, Genus: Henosepilachna). Common name: Ladybug. Metamorphosis is part of most insects’ life and sometimes it may be a series of dramatic changes that most of us know, as in butterflies. Still, other insects undergo the same process although nobody seems to notice that, most probably because their final stage is not aesthetically appealing or because they live in places where it is hard to find them. In some cases it is simply impossible to imagine that an otherwise ugly larva will turn into a beautiful little animal as in this case of ladybug (family Coccinellidae). I was lucky to notice the bright yellow – black spotted morph of this insect during one of my photo sessions. The nice vivid colours usually worn predators about nasty surprises and this is no exception. The beautifully coloured body is covered by thorns. I came back again and again to see how those animals develop and saw them changing to a much larger, completely yellow form and last an even larger white form. In one of the shots you can see the first two stages side by side so you can estimate the increase in size and mass. For quite some days I didn’t see anything else yet it was evident that the white form couldn’t be the last stage in this process. I was right and perhaps the last stage was always there but I didn’t notice it until I saw it on top of a leaf. The white “cover” was torn and an insect with a black belly was coming out of it. I don’t want to disturb nature so I didn’t collect it to see what the insect is, however I noticed the presence of the orange coloured ladybug on the same plant in large numbers. When at home, I did some research on the internet and found out that indeed, this kind of larva is typical for members of the Coccinellidae family. All photos were taken in Hymettus mountain in September and October 2008. Photos by George J. Reclos Shooting Data: Camera: Nikon D300 1. Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1 2 . Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1 3. Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1 4. Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1 |
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Finally, I couldn’t resists my curiosity. I cut a small part of one of the leaves with the white form attached on it, got it home and placed it in a plastic box with some drops of water in it to keep humidity high – as recommended in many forums. Indeed, after two days, the “capsule” opened and the yellow bug came out, its black blotches still faint. Once this was done I took it back to the place I collected it and released it. In the meantime, I had the opportunity to take a couple of shots of the last stage of its metamorphosis, before and after the “capsule” opened. To my surprise, all the black stuff which puzzled me days ago was just part of the outer “shell” and not part of the insect. All photos taken with my Tamron 180 mm macro lens on my D300 in manual mode. Flash was set to high speed synchronization (TTL/FP) mode. Very small apertures and a tripod were used for the shots at home. Photos by George J. Reclos Shooting Data: Camera: Nikon D300 1. Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1 2. Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1 3. Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1 4. Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Thanks to Daniele Sechi, a member of the insectnet forum, who has identified this animal. |
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