Posted by Toni Lankerd on September 18, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Found this insect earlier this summer, but haven't been able to ID it.
Does anyone know what it is?
Feedback always appreciated.
Posted by Arne Myrabo on September 19, 2009 at 12:42 AM
I'd guess one of the 500 species of family Vespidae (Yellowjackets, Paper Wasps, and Hornets; Potter, Mason and Pollen Wasps). You can send a photo to www.bugguide.net for an ID.
I like the soft colors of the flower contrasted with the bg.
Arne
Posted by Philip Schwarz on September 19, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Don't know what the bug is but it is a beautiful shot.
Posted by Brian Vance on September 19, 2009 at 3:27 PM
I know its not a tribble, but other than that, I can't offer much help with the ID. The photo is gorgeous all around. Great job on the DOF, BG AND lighting. Can you provide the technical specs and the conditions you were shooting in?
Posted by Toni Lankerd on September 19, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Thanks!
Arne...if a friend of mine doesn't find it in an insect book, I'll certainly see about going to the web site you suggested. I need the proper ID for stock.
Brian...technical specs....Pentax K10D, Sigma 105mm macro, f6.7 @1/250, iso 100.
It was sunny and mid to late afternoon...manual white balance (5000K and +2 Amber) helped to overcome the harsh light. Taken in the PJ Hoffmaster State Park's (Muskegon) wildflower garden.
Posted by Toni Lankerd on September 19, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Think I figured it out...according to several sources, the insect appears to be a Cicada Killer Wasp (Sphecius speciosus), a member of the Thread-Waisted Wasp family.
Posted by Arne Myrabo on September 19, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Maybe. I'd still ask bugguide. The antennae are quite long and there is a lot more light space than the ones I see here: http://bugguide.net/node/view/514/bgimage?from=0
Does the ID fit? From http://bugguide.net/node/view/514
Size - 30 mm. (1)
Identification - Its head and thorax (front two body sections) are a rust color. The large abdomen (back section) is black and yellow, much like a yellow jacket. Its legs are yellowish and its wings are clear with an orangish-red tint.
Range - Widely distributed east of the Rocky Mountains and south into Mexico. Sometimes common locally in Florida
Habitat - It lives at the edges of forests, in gardens, and in waste places.
Nests in the ground.
I think you're in the right ballpark (and probably correct), but some of these can only be definitively ID'd with a microscope!
This photo looks pretty close http://bugguide.net/node/view/302616/bgimage
Arne
Posted by Brian Vance on September 20, 2009 at 8:36 AM
Thanks for the specs, Toni. You definitely nailed it. I was wondering what you did to get such nice, soft shadow lines. Well done!
Posted by Toni Lankerd on September 21, 2009 at 11:51 AM
It's been confirmed by MSU..this is indeed a Cicada Killer Wasp.
Discussion
8 repliesDoes anyone know what it is?
Feedback always appreciated.
I like the soft colors of the flower contrasted with the bg.
Arne
Arne...if a friend of mine doesn't find it in an insect book, I'll certainly see about going to the web site you suggested. I need the proper ID for stock.
Brian...technical specs....Pentax K10D, Sigma 105mm macro, f6.7 @1/250, iso 100.
It was sunny and mid to late afternoon...manual white balance (5000K and +2 Amber) helped to overcome the harsh light. Taken in the PJ Hoffmaster State Park's (Muskegon) wildflower garden.
Does the ID fit? From http://bugguide.net/node/view/514
Size - 30 mm. (1)
Identification - Its head and thorax (front two body sections) are a rust color. The large abdomen (back section) is black and yellow, much like a yellow jacket. Its legs are yellowish and its wings are clear with an orangish-red tint.
Range - Widely distributed east of the Rocky Mountains and south into Mexico. Sometimes common locally in Florida
Habitat - It lives at the edges of forests, in gardens, and in waste places.
Nests in the ground.
I think you're in the right ballpark (and probably correct), but some of these can only be definitively ID'd with a microscope!
This photo looks pretty close http://bugguide.net/node/view/302616/bgimage
Arne
Thanks, Brian!