Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

**WPRESTO** · 05-25-2022, 03:13 AM

Originally posted by swanlefitte

I am not sure if this should go here or perhaps spiders? I guess I could have posted it in a macro thread.

I am hearing tons of reports of ticks this year. people finding 10 in one day on them and everybody saying how last year they hardly had any. Anecdotal evidence is building up.

Locally, there have been official warnings about unusually large numbers of ticks this Spring. Fliers are posted at the start of most trails where we walk cautioning to apply repellent. So far only one tick on M & I, behind her left ear. It had just barely started to get its beak into her skin when she noticed it. Dahlia (dog) takes an oral anti-tick medicine. So far I've plucked six dead ticks out of her hair.

BTW: An old but effective precaution: wear long trousers (not shorts) and tuck the cuff inside your socks when walking in a tick-probably area. Many will not do it because it looks "geeky," but it does help, a lot.

GreenRich · 06-02-2022, 02:22 PM - **2 Likes**

Four Spotted Chaser with KP+55-300PLM

**noelcmn** · 06-06-2022, 05:45 AM - **1 Like**

Robber fly with a bee catch

Mike L · 06-07-2022, 01:46 AM - **2 Likes**

Not sure of the species but this fly definitely bites

**noelcmn** · 06-09-2022, 03:29 AM

**rgknief60** · 06-10-2022, 09:50 AM - **1 Like**

Fly image from stack of 144. Ran out of battery to complete stack. Laowa 2.5-5x on K - 1.

Fly at 5x (focus stack)

**rgknief60** · 06-10-2022, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by Mike L

Not sure of the species but this fly definitely bites

It would be interesting to see the mouth parts of your biting fly close up. I imagine it probably has additional structures beside the "mop" on the image above.

**noelcmn** · 06-10-2022, 12:34 PM - **1 Like**

Some of the other Robber Flies from Melville Koppies Nature Reserve.

**rgknief60** · 06-10-2022, 07:22 PM - **1 Like**

This is the only robber fly I've ever shot. Usually they quickly fly away. Since this one was occupied, I was able to take several dozen images with tripod. The wind was blowing, so only got a few keepers.

This robberfly caught a yellowjacket (wasp). The inset shows tiny flies taking advantage of the robber fly's meal. I would not be suprised if they piggyback on the robber fly, having a built in motel with buffet.

Robber Fly with Yellowjacket by Roger

**rgknief60** · 06-11-2022, 08:38 AM

Originally posted by noelcmn

Some of the other Robber Flies from Melville Koppies Nature Reserve.

I find robber flies intriguing. It's fun to see the diversity. The hairs on the head of your image image would certainly make focus stacking a challenge.

While I was unable to get a clean view of the head in my image, it appears to only have six hairs in front. Does anyone know the function of the hair?

Does anyone else have robberfly pictures?

**noelcmn** · 06-12-2022, 07:21 AM - **2 Likes**

I've got plenty of Robber fly pics, which i seek out at the various game and nature reserves around Johannesburg. This one is by far the most interesting, with its colorful eyes.

As for the use of the hairs- here's what Wikipedia says " The facial region has a convex profile with a characteristic dense bundle of bristles, called a "mystax". The mystax helps protect the head and face when the fly encounters prey bent on defense. Other bristles are arranged on the ocellar tubercle.

**rgknief60** · 06-12-2022, 08:03 PM

Originally posted by noelcmn

This one is by far the most interesting, with its colorful eyes.

Thanks for posting it. Always fun to see something unexpected!

**WPRESTO** · 06-24-2022, 06:56 AM - **2 Likes**

Two tiny moths from yesterday morning.

**noelcmn** · 06-24-2022, 11:56 AM - **1 Like**

Leaf Hopper

Doing some sort of yoga

Aaron28 · 06-26-2022, 04:29 PM - **3 Likes**

more critters of the backyard...K-50..tamron 90/2.8DI....af360fgz

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Thematic Insects	noelcmn	Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories	1449	14 Hours Ago 04:19 AM
Macro Insects	miss_alexx	Post Your Photos!	13	07-17-2010 03:40 PM
Macro New insects	miss_alexx	Post Your Photos!	6	06-11-2010 01:54 AM
Macro Insects	miss_alexx	Post Your Photos!	5	04-24-2010 04:57 PM
macro (insects)	WMBP	Photographic Technique	25	11-25-2009 05:09 PM

05-25-2022, 03:13 AM	#6511
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,144	Originally posted by swanlefitte I am not sure if this should go here or perhaps spiders? I guess I could have posted it in a macro thread. I am hearing tons of reports of ticks this year. people finding 10 in one day on them and everybody saying how last year they hardly had any. Anecdotal evidence is building up. Locally, there have been official warnings about unusually large numbers of ticks this Spring. Fliers are posted at the start of most trails where we walk cautioning to apply repellent. So far only one tick on M & I, behind her left ear. It had just barely started to get its beak into her skin when she noticed it. Dahlia (dog) takes an oral anti-tick medicine. So far I've plucked six dead ticks out of her hair. BTW: An old but effective precaution: wear long trousers (not shorts) and tuck the cuff inside your socks when walking in a tick-probably area. Many will not do it because it looks "geeky," but it does help, a lot.

06-02-2022, 02:22 PM - 2 Likes	#6512
GreenRich Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Derbyshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 141	Four Spotted Chaser with KP+55-300PLM

06-06-2022, 05:45 AM - 1 Like	#6513
noelcmn Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Africa-Johannesburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 46,231	Robber fly with a bee catch

06-07-2022, 01:46 AM - 2 Likes	#6514
Mike L Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,488	Not sure of the species but this fly definitely bites

06-09-2022, 03:29 AM	#6515
noelcmn Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Africa-Johannesburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 46,231

06-10-2022, 09:50 AM - 1 Like	#6516
rgknief60 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 983	Fly image from stack of 144. Ran out of battery to complete stack. Laowa 2.5-5x on K - 1. Fly at 5x (focus stack)

06-10-2022, 11:23 AM	#6517
rgknief60 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 983	Originally posted by Mike L Not sure of the species but this fly definitely bites It would be interesting to see the mouth parts of your biting fly close up. I imagine it probably has additional structures beside the "mop" on the image above.

06-10-2022, 12:34 PM - 1 Like	#6518
noelcmn Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Africa-Johannesburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 46,231	Some of the other Robber Flies from Melville Koppies Nature Reserve.

06-10-2022, 07:22 PM - 1 Like	#6519
rgknief60 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 983	This is the only robber fly I've ever shot. Usually they quickly fly away. Since this one was occupied, I was able to take several dozen images with tripod. The wind was blowing, so only got a few keepers. This robberfly caught a yellowjacket (wasp). The inset shows tiny flies taking advantage of the robber fly's meal. I would not be suprised if they piggyback on the robber fly, having a built in motel with buffet. Robber Fly with Yellowjacket by Roger

06-11-2022, 08:38 AM	#6520
rgknief60 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 983	Originally posted by noelcmn Some of the other Robber Flies from Melville Koppies Nature Reserve. I find robber flies intriguing. It's fun to see the diversity. The hairs on the head of your image image would certainly make focus stacking a challenge. While I was unable to get a clean view of the head in my image, it appears to only have six hairs in front. Does anyone know the function of the hair? Does anyone else have robberfly pictures?

06-12-2022, 07:21 AM - 2 Likes	#6521
noelcmn Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Africa-Johannesburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 46,231	I've got plenty of Robber fly pics, which i seek out at the various game and nature reserves around Johannesburg. This one is by far the most interesting, with its colorful eyes. As for the use of the hairs- here's what Wikipedia says " The facial region has a convex profile with a characteristic dense bundle of bristles, called a "mystax". The mystax helps protect the head and face when the fly encounters prey bent on defense. Other bristles are arranged on the ocellar tubercle.

06-12-2022, 08:03 PM	#6522
rgknief60 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 983	Originally posted by noelcmn This one is by far the most interesting, with its colorful eyes. Thanks for posting it. Always fun to see something unexpected!

06-24-2022, 11:56 AM - 1 Like	#6524
noelcmn Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Africa-Johannesburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 46,231	Leaf Hopper Doing some sort of yoga

06-26-2022, 04:29 PM - 3 Likes	#6525
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	more critters of the backyard...K-50..tamron 90/2.8DI....af360fgz

Thematic Show me your insects

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!