Ophion ventricosus - A type of Ichnuemon Wasp species
I have been working hard on a new project. I refer to these pictures as 'portraits' as they are focused purely on the individual insect species alone. The clean black background enables the viewer to look solely at the subject and truly appreciate the beauty of each species, without a distracting background.
Common Cockchafer
Pale Tussock
Ophion Ichneumon Wasp
Cochylis atricapitana
Nomad Bee
White Ermine
Herald
Holly Blue Butterfly
I have been inspired by the work of Joel Sartore (World-renowned Photographer who works for National Geographic) who has created a Photo Ark. In this he takes studio portraits of endangered animals to show the world the incredible level of biodiversity in the natural world, and to highlight how close to extinction some of these species are. It is an extraordinary undertaking, and well worth checking out HERE
I feel that the insects and other invertebrates repeatedly get dismissed and over looked, hence why I am starting this project. I aim to show you not just how beautiful they are, but how incredibly varied and diverse they can be. And it is worth considering that all these Portraits are of individuals have been found in my tiny suburban garden. There is so much variety all around us, quite literally, beneath our feet. I currently have over 500 species recorded in just this location. With several major research studies recently highlighting massive declines across the whole invertebrate group, it is quite evident that a lot of species are at risk of disappearing completely. I hope to inspire you to do your bit to help conserve and protect these amazing creatures...
Green-veined White - Pieris napi
Common Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina
Early Mining Bee - Andrena haemorrhoa
Common Earwig - Forficula auricularia
Brimstone Butterfly - Gonepteryx rhamni
Waxed Lacewing - Coniopterygix sp
Mining Bee - Andrena scotica
Corizus hyoscyami
Common Wasp - Vespula Vulgaris
Harlequin Ladybird - Harmonia axyridis
Hairy Shieldbug - Dolycoris baccarum
Hoverfly - Epistrophe eligans
Gold Spot - Plusia festucae
Red-and-black Froghopper - Cercopis vulnerata
Muscid Fly - Phaonia subventa
Light Brown Apple Moth - Epiphyas postvittana
Common Mouning Bee - Melecta albifrons
Greenbottle - Lucilia sp
Red Mason Bee - Osmia bicornis
Pale Tussock - Calliteara pudibunda
Small White - Pieris rapae
Spectacle Moth
Ichneumon Wasp - Stenichneumon culpator
[Note: The welfare of these insects are as important as for any other animal, so I take the utmost care to look after each individual and minimise any stress, and release them safely afterwards.]
