macro – Page 32 – A Thousand Acres of Silphiums

Tragidion coquus – Second Time!

coleoptera, insects, macro, wildlife, wildlife photography

*Tragidion coquus* female photographed at Hughes Mountain Natural Area, Sep. 28, 2019.
f/18, 1/30 sec., ISO-400, 234 mm focal length equivalent

For the second year in a row, a special beetle that has been described by our own Ted MacRae as “one of the rarest and most beautiful species of longhorned beetle to occur in Missouri” was found during the joint field trip of the WGNSS Entomology and Nature Photography groups at Hughes Mountain Natural Area. Tragidion coquus, purported to be spider wasp mimics, mine in dead oak branches and can be found in flight between June and November. I wasn’t happy with my photos of last year’s specimen (also a female), so I was thrilled to be able to take the time and set her on some foliage with fall colors. It was an almost disaster as she was able to take flight before we were finished. But, having the quick reflexes of a Marvel superhero, I was able to catch her out of the air with a quick grab with just a slight kink in her antennae in consequence.

Tragidion coquus female photographed at Hughes Mountain Natural Area, Sep. 28, 2019. f/14, 1/60 sec., ISO-400, 234 mm focal length equivalent

Golden Tortoise Beetle

coleoptera, insects, macro, wildlife, wildlife photography

*Charidotella sexpunctata* (Chrysomelidae)
f/18, 1/30 sec., ISO-640, 234 mm focal length equivalent

This golden tortoise beetle (not golden during this photo shoot) was found during an insect survey that some WGNSS members participated in at the Litzsinger Road Ecology Center.

Missouri Orchids – Spiranthes lacera (slender ladies tresses)

macro, Missouri's Orchids, native plants

*Spiranthes lacera*, St. Francois Co, MO. f/16, 1/50 sec., ISO-640, 234 mm focal length equivalent

I only managed to photograph one of the Spiranthes this year. I had opportunities for others, but I just couldn’t get to the right place at the right time. Good news is that it shouldn’t be too difficult to add them next year.

*Spiranthes lacera*, St. Francois Co, MO. f/16, 1/60 sec., ISO-640, 234 mm focal length equivalent

A bit closer really shows off the delicate details in flower and twisting stem.

Spiranthes lacera with passenger, St. Francois Co, MO. f/16, 1/50 sec., ISO-640, 234 mm focal length equivalent

Big Sand Tiger Beetle (Cincindela formosa generosa)

coleoptera, insects, macro, wildlife, wildlife photography

Big Sand Tiger Beetle, Sand Prairie Conservation Area, Scott County, MO.
f/16, 1/160 sec., ISO-640, 234 mm focal length equivalent.

Dashing Blue Dashers

insects, macro, odonata, wildlife, wildlife photography

Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) – f/8, 1/160 sec., ISO-200, 520 mm focal length equivalent

Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) – f/8, 1/200 sec., ISO-160, 520 mm focal length equivalent

Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) – f/11, 1/160 sec., ISO-320, 520 mm focal length equivalent

Great Spangled Fritillary

insects, Lepidoptera, macro, wildlife, wildlife photography

Swamp Metalmark – Calephelis muticum

insects, Lepidoptera, macro, wildlife, wildlife photography

Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/14, 1/125 sec., ISO-640

These special butterflies, endangered or threatened across much of their small range, have their stronghold in the state of Missouri. These images were taken in St. Francis Co., MO.

Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/14, 1/80 sec., ISO-640

Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/18, 1/60 sec., ISO-640

Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/18, 1/80 sec., ISO-640

Wasp Mantidfly – Neither a Wasp, a Mantid, nor a Fly!

insects, macro, Neuroptera, wildlife, wildlife photography

Wasp Mantidfly (*Climaciella brunnea*) 234mm focal length equivalent, f/16, 1/125 sec., ISO-640, with flash

That’s right, this special one visited my home garden one afternoon and allowed me to grab some shots. The mantidfly are categorized in the order Neuroptera along with the lacewings.

Probably obvious, this species is believed to mimic the paper wasps (Polistes) as a potential deterrent to predation. Without a close glance, it would be easy to mistake this species for a wasp with the potential to deliver a nasty sting.

As if their appearance wasn’t crazy enough, larvae of the Mantispinae, the subfamily this species belongs to, feed by paristizing spiders and their eggs!