Insects


A guide to Australian insect families (from CSIRO) can be found at:
http://anic.ento.csiro.au/insectfamilies/

Daley, A. & Ellingsen, K., 2012. Insects of Tasmania: An online field guide

A useful introduction to Insects, visit:
http://australianmuseum.net.au/uploads/documents/9362/invertebrate_guide.pdf

A diagram of Insect morphology illustrating terminology with legend of body parts:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_morphology#/media/File:Insect_anatomy_diagram.svg

A diagram of an insect illustrating terminology based on a worker ant, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaster_(insect_anatomy)#/media/File:Scheme_ant_worker_anatomy-en.svg

Photographing insects

There are two main ways to photograph insects with a camera: using a macro close-up lens or a zoom lens. If the insect tolerates your getting very close, then you can use the macro lens. For example, some moths will remain quite still when approached, believing they are camouflaged and invisible. However, many insects, especially those that can fly, will move away when you approach. This is especially true for insects like butterflies and dragonflies. So a good zoom lens is very useful for photographing many insects. If you are using a smartphone, then use a macro lens or a macro attachment. E.g. OlloClip for iPhone. If you want to have an insect identified to species then clear photographs are usually needed because minute parts of the anatomy may need to be checked. It is valuable to take several photos from various angles so that these anatomical details can be seen. Many insects are have particular plants that they feed on, and they can be identified more easily when the associated plant is known. So if the insect is resting or feeding on a plant, take note of what the plant is or ensure that a photo shows the plant clearly.

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Discussion

DiBickers wrote:
3 hrs ago
European wasps are aggressive hunters of insects and spiders, which they feed to their larvae. The adults themselves eat pollen, nectar, other carbohydrates and secretions produced by their young. This wasp out-competes native species for food resources as well as virtually depleting an area of its insect and spider fauna. Vespula germanica also has a large negative impact on human receation activities. Recent records for the wasp have appeared from New Chums Road and Nursery Swamp - we would like to know just how widespread it is in Namadgi - so please report any sightings from there.

The ACT Government treats European wasp nests on ACT Government land. If a wasp nest is on your property, it is your responsibility to have it removed by a qualified pest control operator. People should not attempt to treat the nest themselves as they risk being stung.

"A typical European wasp nest is started in the spring by a single queen emerging from hibernation. She raises the first worker wasps herself, which then help her raise more workers, and so the nest grows through the summer. Come the autumn most workers die out while the newly born queens search for a warm, dark place to hibernate." (Dr Reeson, Adelaide University)

For more information about European Wasps and to report a nest on ACT Government Land please visit:
https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/pets-and-wildlife/wildlife/pest-insects/wasps

Vespula germanica
DiBickers wrote:
3 hrs ago
Looks like it could be Paper Wasps in Genus Ropalidia but I can’t confirm for sure.

Apocrita (suborder) Nest
WendyEM wrote:
Yesterday
E.mniara lacks the kink in forwing main black line

Ectropis (genus)
WendyEM wrote:
Yesterday
I don't know where that came from.

Utetheisa (genus)
ibaird wrote:
Yesterday
Yes mostly U. puchelloides in the south I understand but I'm not sure I clearly see 5 red spots along the trailing edge of the forewing in this specimen.

Utetheisa (genus)
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