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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Achaea (genus) (Calpinae)

Achaea (genus)
Achaea (genus)

Achroia grisella (Lesser wax moth)

Achroia grisella
Achroia grisella
Achroia grisella

Acraea terpsicore (Tawny Coster)

Acraea terpsicore
Acraea terpsicore
Acraea terpsicore

Adoryphorus coulonii (Redheaded pasture cockchafer)

Adoryphorus coulonii
Adoryphorus coulonii
Adoryphorus coulonii

Agrianome spinicollis (Poinciana longicorn)

Agrianome spinicollis
Agrianome spinicollis
Agrianome spinicollis

Amycterus carteri (Ground weevil)

Amycterus carteri

Anthela nicothoe (Urticating Anthelid)

Anthela nicothoe
Anthela nicothoe
Anthela nicothoe

Aphis nerii (Milkweed Aphid)

Aphis nerii
Aphis nerii
Aphis nerii

Arhopalus (genus) (Longhorn beetle)

Arhopalus (genus)
Arhopalus (genus)
Arhopalus (genus)

Austrosimulium sp. (Black fly)

Austrosimulium sp.

Biprorulus bibax (Spined citrus bug)

Biprorulus bibax
Biprorulus bibax
Biprorulus bibax

Blatta orientalis (Oriental cockroach)

Blatta orientalis
Blatta orientalis
Blatta orientalis

Bombus terrestris (Buff-tailed bumblebee, Large earth bumblebee)

Bombus terrestris
Bombus terrestris
Bombus terrestris

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