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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Paropsis variolosa (Variolosa leaf beetle)

Paropsis variolosa
Paropsis variolosa
Paropsis variolosa

Paropsisterna cloelia (Eucalyptus variegated beetle)

Paropsisterna cloelia
Paropsisterna cloelia
Paropsisterna cloelia

Philobota arabella (Concealer moth)

Philobota arabella
Philobota arabella
Philobota arabella

Pieris rapae (Cabbage White)

Pieris rapae
Pieris rapae
Pieris rapae

Polyrhachis semiaurata (A golden spiny ant)

Polyrhachis semiaurata
Polyrhachis semiaurata
Polyrhachis semiaurata

Psaltoda moerens (Redeye cicada)

Psaltoda moerens
Psaltoda moerens
Psaltoda moerens

Psaltoda plaga (Black Prince Cicada)

Psaltoda plaga
Psaltoda plaga
Psaltoda plaga

Sciaridae sp. (family) (Black fungus gnat)

Sciaridae sp. (family)
Sciaridae sp. (family)
Sciaridae sp. (family)

Scutiphora pedicellata (Metallic Jewel Bug)

Scutiphora pedicellata
Scutiphora pedicellata
Scutiphora pedicellata

Selagis sp. (genus) (Jewel Beetle)

Selagis sp. (genus)
Selagis sp. (genus)

Vanessa itea (Yellow Admiral)

Vanessa itea
Vanessa itea
Vanessa itea

Vanessa kershawi (Australian Painted Lady)

Vanessa kershawi
Vanessa kershawi
Vanessa kershawi

Zizina otis (Common Grass-Blue)

Zizina otis
Zizina otis
Zizina otis

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