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Home » INSECTS « Previous image  · Slide Show · Next image » « Previous image · Next image » Ruby-tailed wasp (Chrysis psuedobrevitarsis) Click on image to view larger image « Previous image  · Slide Show · Next image » Photo Details Vixpix Registered: June 2009 Posts: 1,014 I found this tiny wasp on my window and decided that i should catch and photograph it as i had never seen such bright irridescent colours on a wasp before and it was the first time i had seen a ruby tailed wasp. I used an old Ferrero roche box to capture it but it would not stay still long enough to focus on, so i put some sugared water in the box and the wasp settled for a while as it fed. As it turned out, the Ferrero roche box was completely hopeless when it came to trying to focus through the plastic side and this is the best shot i could get of it before i released it. Limited DOF and not overly sharp...... but great colours Some added information about this species of wasp; Ruby-tailed wasps are parasitoids of the scarce eumenid wasp Ancistrocerus antilope (the "potter" or "mason" wasp) and the females of the Runy-tailed wasp lay their eggs in the host larvae. The host wasp undergoes fluctuations in population density with obvious repercussions for the Ruby-tailed wasp. This very rare wasp is considered to be extremely vulnerable in Britain so i'm very lucky to have seen one at all. Although i was very tempted to cool him off in the fridge as Mark (Mortcdz) suggests, i decided not to risk it with this rarety even though i would have liked a better photograph of it. Now that i know that they occur localy, i will be keeping a lookout for them and perhaps i'll have better luck next time and be able to photograph one in a more natural setting. Many thanks to all who have left comments on my photos and my appologies for not having been around much lately to comment on all your photos....work, work, and more work and not enough time for photography, well, that's the seasonal norm for me!! Regards Vic. · Date: Tue December 1, 2009 · Views: 499 · Additional Info Keywords: Ruby-tailed Wasp (Chrysis psuedobrevitarsis) Camera Make / Model: Canon EOS 10D Lens Make / Focal Length: Tamron 90mm SP macro f2.8 State / County / Area Image Taken: Dyfed Wales Country Image Taken United Kingdom Processing Software Applications Used Adobe photoshop and Extensis « more · more »

Author Thread   mortcdz Registered: January 2009 Posts: 1,837 Tue December 1, 2009 9:38pm You've already done my critiquing for me - DOF is a bit too shallow and details not as sharp as your normal high standard but those colours are just superb - wonderful irridescence! I'm surprised you didn't put the little chap in the fridge for a little while - cool it down, slow it down, photograph, warm up and release was the mantra I've heard used by a pro nature photographer. Cheers.....Mark Tincup Registered: September 2009 Posts: 1,421 Wed December 2, 2009 12:39am Mark beat me to it, I was going to suggest a little fridge time too. (Not that I've tried it, but I've heard of it.) Awesome colors Vic. I would have never guessed a wasp could be so attractive! Great catch. Diane Registered: February 2009 Posts: 4,093 Wed December 2, 2009 8:21am Rich, vivid colors on this most unusual wasp. Agree about the shallow DOF for crisp details. Very much appreciate reading the comments here about using the fridge to improve the capture. marhowie Registered: August 2009 Posts: 1,392 Wed December 2, 2009 12:29pm Nicely detailed at the head/thorax where it must be. The iridescent metallic colors are most becoming too marhowie Registered: August 2009 Posts: 1,392 Wed December 2, 2009 12:32pm Nicely detailed at the head/thorax where it must be. The iridescent metallic colors are most becoming too. I recently shot a similar Cuckoo Wasp. One approach is to get out there in the field/garden early morning when the temps are cooler, and the bugs are slow.. Then all you have to do is find em' ;-} Also used a drop of honey once to attract tiny sugar ants. They stay still as they feed of course.. Paul Registered: October 2009 Posts: 876 Wed December 2, 2009 3:18pm Little to add that hasn't already been said. Those colors are amazing. Julie Registered: February 2009 Posts: 1,421 Wed December 2, 2009 4:11pm Vic, awesome close up. Very colorful indeed. veejaycee Registered: February 2009 Posts: 5,689 Wed December 2, 2009 5:23pm I guess if you're that small you gotta be brightly coloured to get noticed!. Neat capture Vic. olddingo Registered: November 2008 Posts: 2,626 Thu December 3, 2009 8:48pm Under the conditions Vic a good shot. Focus is out but those colours make up for it, Dave lrw1966 Registered: November 2008 Posts: 3,889 Sat December 5, 2009 11:04pm Vic, Hi: Splendid colors and detail, Vic - with excellent notes, as always. Thanks Larry

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