Swallowtail Butterfly Larvae

8 years 6 months ago #452652 by Screamin Scott
Must be a1st instar as it's only about 4mm long. Bug Guide supplied the ID as I wasn't sure what it was due to the horn like appendages on it...




Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/

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8 years 6 months ago #452663 by cybersholt
Interesting shot Scott,
I thought that Swallow Tails are normally black and yellow striped vertically when in their larval form but I guess this one proves that otherwise. I imagine this one would have an interesting pattern when it changes since its got that green/blue spot in the middle there. Well done!

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8 years 6 months ago #452706 by MM Images
I really like, wish the flash flare was missing from the critters body.  


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8 years 6 months ago #452749 by Screamin Scott
Kinda hard to eliminate it as I was using a ring light. Had I used most any other light source I would have gotten the same effect as the Cat is extremely reflective in this instar...I have other later instars where they are less reflective. Seeing as it was close in to the trunk of the tree, a larger diffuser wasn't possible to use & ambient light wasn't strong enough to get enough DOF at wider lens apertures.

MM Images wrote: I really like, wish the flash flare was missing from the critters body.  


Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/

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8 years 6 months ago #452758 by Mason Katz
Could you defuse the light to avoid the glare?  

You have some awesome macro shots, how long have you been shooting insects? 


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8 years 6 months ago #452797 by Screamin Scott
Thanks Mason ! I could diffuse the light, but then I couldn't get in as close to the subject. I have several lighting setups for my macro. A ring light is my primary source & I also use , at times, a speed light with a 6X8 inch diffuser on it. Problem with the speed light setup is that I can't get as close in as I can with the ring light as the softbox diffuser gets in the way. Now, if I can capture the insect & take it inside under more controlled circumstances, I can get better, diffused illumination. Problem is that not all subjects are so willing to go along with that. These images were simply for sending to bugguide.net for an ID as I wasn't sure what it was. I have been shooting images since the late 60's but I've concentrated on macro since about 2005.... That's not to say I don't shoot anything else s I do. I have a company picnic shoot coming up in less than 2 weeks that I shot last year as well. I don't advertise my services though & don't touch weddings.

Mason Katz wrote: Could you defuse the light to avoid the glare?  

You have some awesome macro shots, how long have you been shooting insects? 


Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/

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8 years 6 months ago #453199 by Simon Says
Excellent captures - well taken.


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8 years 6 months ago #453419 by Travel Nut
Splendid captures, Scott. Number 1 is outstanding and 2 really looks like a bruiser.


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