Insects
A guide to Australian insect families (from CSIRO) can be found at:
http://anic.ento.csiro.au/insectfamilies/
Daley, A. & Ellingsen, K., 2012. Insects of Tasmania: An online field guide
A useful introduction to Insects, visit:
http://australianmuseum.net.au/uploads/documents/9362/invertebrate_guide.pdf
A diagram of Insect morphology illustrating terminology with legend of body parts:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_morphology#/media/File:Insect_anatomy_diagram.svg
A diagram of an insect illustrating terminology based on a worker ant, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaster_(insect_anatomy)#/media/File:Scheme_ant_worker_anatomy-en.svg
Photographing insects
There are two main ways to photograph insects with a camera: using a macro close-up lens or a zoom lens. If the insect tolerates your getting very close, then you can use the macro lens. For example, some moths will remain quite still when approached, believing they are camouflaged and invisible. However, many insects, especially those that can fly, will move away when you approach. This is especially true for insects like butterflies and dragonflies. So a good zoom lens is very useful for photographing many insects. If you are using a smartphone, then use a macro lens or a macro attachment. E.g. OlloClip for iPhone. If you want to have an insect identified to species then clear photographs are usually needed because minute parts of the anatomy may need to be checked. It is valuable to take several photos from various angles so that these anatomical details can be seen. Many insects are have particular plants that they feed on, and they can be identified more easily when the associated plant is known. So if the insect is resting or feeding on a plant, take note of what the plant is or ensure that a photo shows the plant clearly.
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Discussion
Gum leaves,
Wattle leaves,
Herbaceous plant leaves,
Grass,
Lichen, and
Flower petals.
If your caterpillar rejects all five, then rose petals and thinly sliced apple are good standbys. Apparently plants in Rosaceae have developed very few poisons.
I popped copies of a couple of your photos into
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/psyc/psychbm.html
I hope you approve ?
Psychidae (family) IMMATURE
Ectropis (genus) immature
Helicoverpa punctigera
Termessa xanthomelas
Significant sightings
- Keyacris scurra
- Perunga ochracea at Yarralumla, ACT
- Keyacris scurra at Williamsdale, NSW
- Keyacris scurra at Penrose, NSW
- Botocudo ornatulus at Acton, ACT
- Xiphogryllacris orthoxipha at Orchard Hills, NSW
- Keyacris scurra at Captains Flat, NSW
- Keyacris scurra at Captains Flat, NSW
- Paralucia crosbyi
- Australoneda bourgeoisi at Nimbin, NSW
Species Richness Score (SRS)
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