{"id":39739,"date":"2024-07-03T14:40:34","date_gmt":"2024-07-03T12:40:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/2f43d2d7-2689-4a04-b780-3332c2cbc39c"},"modified":"2024-07-03T16:27:34","modified_gmt":"2024-07-03T14:27:34","slug":"20-otherworldly-insect-photos-that-will-blow-your-mind","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/20-otherworldly-insect-photos-that-will-blow-your-mind\/","title":{"rendered":"20 otherworldly insect photos that will blow your mind"},"content":{"rendered":"

Delve into the alien-like world of insects with this incredible selection of winning images from the Royal Entomological Society\u2019s Photography Competition. <\/p>

By Daniel Graham\n <\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 03 July 2024 at 12:40 PM<\/p>

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The winning images from the Royal Entomological Society\u2019s Photography Competition<\/a>\u00a0have been revealed.<\/strong><\/p>

The annual competition showcases the very best amateur insect<\/a> photography. <\/p>

This year’s overall winner is Yorkshire-based Luke Chambers for his image \u2018Sleeping Cuckoos\u2019, which shows two cuckoo bees<\/a> taking a break on a blade of grass. <\/p>

Sleeping cuckoos: Luke Chambers’ photo of two sleeping bees was the overall winner in the ‘over 18’ category. Credit: Luke Chambers<\/figcaption><\/figure>

RES photo competition 2023\u00a0winners<\/h2>

Caddisfly Larvae In A Jelly Egg Sac by Tim Jonas<\/h3>

Over 18, second place<\/em><\/p>

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Photographed in-situ on a leaf overhanging water, this image shows recently hatched caddisfly larvae inside a transparent gelatinous egg sac. The larvae will drop into the water where they live as aquatic insects throughout.the larval and pupal stages. Credit: Tim Jonas<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Natures Jewels by Nikita Richardson<\/h3>

Behaviour, specially commended<\/em><\/p>

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A cluster of male harlequin bugs. Credit: Nikita Richardson<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Clever Girl by Luke Chambers<\/h3>

Behaviour, specially commended<\/em><\/p>

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Behaviour I hadn’t witnessed, seen, or read about online. A female European Beewolf (Philanthus triangulum) hastily squeezing the nectar out of a paralysed Honey Bee (Apis mellifera), and consuming it for herself. Credit: Luke Chambers<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Fatal Attraction by Rosemary Haleem<\/h3>

Behaviour, specially commended<\/em><\/p>

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Swarm of flying ants desperate in a pool. Credit: Rosemary Haleem<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Flying Termites by Sirsendu Gayen<\/h3>

Behaviour, specially commended<\/em><\/p>

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These flying termites, called alates, leave the safety of the colony in large numbers to breed and establish new colonies. This behaviour is called swarming. Swarming termites may be most active during morning, evening or mid-day. Only a few species tend to swarm at night. Credit: Sirsendu Gayen<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Junk Bug by Rosa Dunbar<\/h3>

Behaviour, specially commended<\/em><\/p>

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The junk bug, a voracious predator in the insect world, earns its name by wearing plant matter and the exoskeletons of past victims on its back as part of an intricate camouflage to deceive predators. Credit: Rosa Dunbar<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Conifer Wasp by Steven Mahy<\/h3>

Portraits, specially commended<\/em><\/p>

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A wasp found settled in a conifer tree. Credit: Steven Mahy<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Fading In A Brown World by Panagiotis Dalagiorgos<\/h3>

Portraits, specially commended<\/em><\/p>

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An iris oratoria on a branch. Credit: Panagiotis Dalagiorgos<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Les Fleurs Du Mal by Panagiotis Dalagiorgos<\/h3>

Portraits, specially commended<\/em><\/p>

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A mantis religiosa among some cyclamen. Credit: Panagiotis Dalagiorgos<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Look Into My Eyes by Pete Burford<\/h3>

Portraits, specially commended<\/em><\/p>

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here is a Damselfly covered in Dew in the middle of the night. Insects are cold blooded, so as the temperature cools at night, they are unable to move. Dew then sticks to the Damselfly and covers it completely. Credit: Pete Burford<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Neuropteran Embedded In Burmese Amber by Enrico Bonino<\/h3>

Portraits, specially commended<\/em><\/p>

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This incredible specimen belongs to the Neuropterans insect group. It is characterised by two spiny raptorial forelimbs (and big eyes. This insect is embedded in a approx. 99 million-year-old amber from the Hukawng Valley, Kackin State, Myanmar. Enrico Bonino<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Picasso Bug by Robin Backhouse<\/h3>

Portraits, specially commended<\/em><\/p>

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This is a portrait of an aptly-named Picasso bug (Sphaerocoris annulus) from Ruiru in Kenya. Credit: Robin Backhouse<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Portrait of Jumping Bristletail by Tim Jonas<\/h3>

Portraits, specially commended<\/em><\/p>

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Jumping bristletails are some of the most primitive insects alive today, pre-dating the dinosaurs by 200 million years. Often found under stones, these unique non-flying insects can jump several centimetres in the air and have a covering of scales that provide protection. Credit: Tim Jonas<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Robber Fly by Steven Mahy<\/h3>

Portraits, specially commended<\/em><\/p>

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A robber fly found settled on long grass, Droxford, Hampshire. Credit: Steven Mahy<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Spoonwing by Katarzyna Bukowska<\/h3>

Portraits, specially commended<\/em><\/p>

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Spoonwing is warming in the sun before it flies off. In the backdrop there is a kaleidoscope of colours created by meadow flowers. Credit: Katarzyna Bukowska<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The Hornet by Pete Burford<\/h3>

Portraits, specially commended<\/em><\/p>

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A European hornet found resting from the rain in late October. They are more docile due to low temperatures which means you are able to get shots of them; I picked this one up onto a stick and took the shots that I need before leaving it back by the hornets’ nest. Credit: Pete Burford<\/figcaption><\/figure>

A Forest Gem by Alexander McKerracher<\/h3>

Environment, specially commended<\/em><\/p>

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This photo features a beautiful wavy-lined emerald moth sitting on a mossy log. Taking a break from it’s adventures through the trees, this moth is displaying all of it’s beauty for use to appreciate. Credit: Alexander McKerracher<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Tranquility by Gustav Parenmark<\/h3>

Under 18, first place<\/em><\/p>

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I was able to find many of these gorgeous banded demoiselle by a river near my home in G\u00e4vle, Sweden. With the help of the nearby blades of grass I could create foreground and background elements in order to create depth in the image. Credit: Gustav Parenmark<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Robber Fly Breakfast by Jamie Smart<\/h3>

Under 18, second place<\/em><\/p>

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I was able to find many of these gorgeous banded demoiselle by a river near my home in G\u00e4vle, Sweden. With the help of the nearby blades of grass I could create foreground and background elements in order to create depth in the image. Credit: Jamie Smart<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Taking a Break by Thomas Roberts<\/h3>

Environment, specially commended<\/em><\/p>

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I believe these two male orange-tip butterflies are merely resting on this lichen decorated branch. Whatever their reason for being there I was glad they felt secure enough to allow me to get this colourful image. Credit: Thomas Roberts<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Sleeping Cuckoos by Luke Chambers<\/h3>

Over 18, first place<\/em><\/p>

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Two cuckoo bees (Epeolus variegatus) fast asleep, grasping onto the grass with their mandibles. Still with a few drops of morning dew on them. Credit: Luke Chambers<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The 2024 RES Photography Competition<\/a> is now open for entries from all amateur insect photographers.<\/p>

More majestic photography<\/strong><\/p>