Insect field guide


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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Acrida conica (Giant green slantface)

Acrida conica
Acrida conica
Acrida conica

Agonoscelis rutila (Horehound bug)

Agonoscelis rutila
Agonoscelis rutila
Agonoscelis rutila

Agrianome spinicollis (Poinciana longicorn)

Agrianome spinicollis
Agrianome spinicollis
Agrianome spinicollis

Agrotis infusa (Bogong Moth, Common Cutworm)

Agrotis infusa
Agrotis infusa
Agrotis infusa

Amenia sp. (genus) (Yellow-headed Blowfly)

Amenia sp. (genus)
Amenia sp. (genus)
Amenia sp. (genus)

Anthela ocellata (Eyespot Anthelid moth)

Anthela ocellata
Anthela ocellata
Anthela ocellata

Apis mellifera (European honey bee)

Apis mellifera
Apis mellifera
Apis mellifera

Archimantis (genus) (A praying mantis)

Archimantis (genus)
Archimantis (genus)
Archimantis (genus)

Austrolestes leda (Wandering Ringtail)

Austrolestes leda
Austrolestes leda
Austrolestes leda

Austrolestes sp. (genus) (Ringtail damselfy)

Austrolestes sp. (genus)
Austrolestes sp. (genus)
Austrolestes sp. (genus)

Camponotus nigriceps (Black-headed sugar ant)

Camponotus nigriceps
Camponotus nigriceps
Camponotus nigriceps

Catopsilia pyranthe (White migrant)

Catopsilia pyranthe
Catopsilia pyranthe
Catopsilia pyranthe

Chalcopteroides sp. (genus) (Rainbow darkling beetle)

Chalcopteroides sp. (genus)
Chalcopteroides sp. (genus)
Chalcopteroides sp. (genus)

Charaxes sempronius (Tailed Emperor)

Charaxes sempronius
Charaxes sempronius
Charaxes sempronius

Chrysolopus spectabilis (Botany Bay Weevil)

Chrysolopus spectabilis
Chrysolopus spectabilis
Chrysolopus spectabilis

Danaus petilia (Lesser wanderer)

Danaus petilia
Danaus petilia
Danaus petilia

Delias aganippe (Spotted Jezebel)

Delias aganippe
Delias aganippe
Delias aganippe

Dindymus versicolor (Harlequin Bug)

Dindymus versicolor
Dindymus versicolor
Dindymus versicolor

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1,903,523 sightings of 21,215 species in 9,380 locations from 13,060 contributors
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