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One ugly Tachinid

Discussion

7 replies
Posted by Paul Whippey on June 3, 2013 at 3:31 PM
One ugly Tachinid
Thanks for the comments and for looking at my last post. :wavey:

Another macro photo using my latest acquisition. Lots to learn, especially getting reliable DoF and avoiding diffraction. I do like a challenge though! :biggrin:

There are loads of these big ugly Tachinid flies along my local river, a good subject to practise on. (If anyone can ID this species, I'd be very grateful :wavey: ). Other insect numbers seem to have been badly hit after last years' atrocious weather though. Canon 7D, MP-E65mm f/2.8 1-5x macro lens, MT24 macro flash, handheld. 1x magnification, f9, ISO200, 1/200 sec. Processed in CS6, Nik Color Efex and Dfine for NR, slight crop to RHS and bottom.

Thanks for looking! :wavey:
Posted by Mike Smith on June 3, 2013 at 4:44 PM
Having just spent the afternoon trying to photograph small red damselflies on my little pond, I can really appreciate the insect macro work you do!

Stunning detail :toast: :toast:
Posted by Nick Mckeown on June 3, 2013 at 6:13 PM
Now that is a cracking macro shot Paul! Not sure if it is Tachinidae could be a stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans looking in my insect book.

Nick. :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :smile: :wavey:
Posted by John Robinson on June 4, 2013 at 6:11 AM
No idea what species but a good macro.(Should be with that gear!) :toast: :toast: :toast: :wink:
JR
Posted by David Sewell on June 5, 2013 at 5:25 AM
Certainly excellent work, but I have no idea about the species either.

David
Posted by Bob Johnson on June 5, 2013 at 7:58 AM
Scary monster but no idea what it is? Good stuff :wink:

Bob :smile:
Posted by Andy Shepherd on June 5, 2013 at 11:46 AM

Another quality macro shot, Paul :toast:

Andy... :smile:
Posted by Paul Whippey on June 6, 2013 at 2:09 PM
Thanks for the comments everyone. :wavey:

Nick, its not Stomoxys calcitrans as the mouthparts are thankfully different! You were on to something though, I think I've ID'd it and its not a Tachinidae as I first thought. Its a Muscidae, which is the same superfamily as Stomoxys calcitrans. Its most probably Helina impuncta. Took ages to find, surprising since they are so common! :eek: