Posts in Category: insects
Beach Monster #2 – Ichneumon Wasp
Just as the sun was setting beautifully over the rocky beach on Rügen, this ichneumon wasp appeared and landed on a light-colored stone right in front of me. Okay… they wanted a photo, so they get a photo. Their offspring are said to be a natural, eco-friendly secret weapon against moths, as the larvae destroy the host—namely, the moth larva. They certainly are striking to look at, though I’m not entirely sure I’d want them flying around my kitchen.
Beach Monster #1 – Tiger Beetle
According to Wikipedia, they actually prefer it hot—34°C or higher—but given that there are over 2,300 species, it is hardly surprising to find them scurrying along the beach at Cape Arkona. Yes, that’s right: when hunting, they sprint at speeds of up to 2.5 m/s—so fast that their eyes can no longer process the path ahead, meaning they hunt blindly for brief moments. Since they haven’t gone extinct—quite the opposite, in fact, as they were everywhere here—the strategy seems to work, and I am once again amazed by the things I discover and learn through my lens.
Small White butterfly (kleiner Kohlweißling )
Its caterpillars are considered pests because—surprise, surprise—they feed on things like cabbage (hence Kohl in German). Does that explain those striking eyes? I’ve never seen pupils like that anywhere else. It’s often a surprise when you look at the world through a magnifying glass. I cherish every moment and feel just like the Little Prince on a voyage of discovery. How about you?
Skipper butterfly
… a rust-colored one, to be precise. Along the new floodplain, created thanks to the beaver dam behind the castle in Heusenstamm, two large thistle bushes stand by the path. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much life on a single plant. At least one insect was buzzing and fluttering on every blossom. More macro photos to follow in the coming days.
On Blue-tailed and Azure Damselflies.
My attempts at identification are more like guessing games, so please feel free to put the correct names in the comments if you spot any errors. I believe I managed to capture both species in a single shot.
The small ponds along the Fechenheim and Bürgel bends of the Main River have become a veritable paradise for dragonflies and frogs. The day before yesterday, I was able to witness this colorful spectacle firsthand—a truly wonderful experience—as the reeds on the Bürgel side have not yet overgrown the breeding grounds, thus offering an unobstructed view of all the activity. It is simply incredible what is buzzing around in the air here, and in such density! While reviewing the photos, I found myself whistling the “Ride of the Valkyries” the entire time.
Ta-ta-ta-taaa taaa…
