Insect species

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The following moderators provide knowledge and expertise for Insects:

donhe  |  AlisonMilton  |  RogerF  |  HarveyPerkins  |  mcosgrove  |  WingsToWander  |  canberrabutterflies  |  Curiosity  |  MEJETEuge  |  KylieWaldon  |  Aussiegall

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Overview

A guide to Australian insect families (from CSIRO) can be found at:
http://anic.ento.csiro.au/insectfamilies/

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.

5756 species

Termessa congrua (A Tiger moth (Lithosiini))

Termessa congrua
Termessa congrua
Termessa congrua

Termessa conographa (Lithosiini)

Termessa discrepans (Hookwing Footman)

Termessa discrepans
Termessa discrepans

Termessa laeta (Termessa laeta)

Termessa laeta
Termessa laeta
Termessa laeta

Termessa nivosa (Snowy Footman)

Termessa nivosa
Termessa nivosa
Termessa nivosa

Termessa orthocrossa (A Tiger moth (Lithosiini))

Termessa orthocrossa
Termessa orthocrossa

Termessa shepherdi (Shepherd's Footman)

Termessa shepherdi
Termessa shepherdi
Termessa shepherdi

Termessa sp. (Termessa sp.)

Termitoidae (informal group) (Unidentified termite)

Termitoidae (informal group)
Termitoidae (informal group)
Termitoidae (informal group)

Terobiella eucalypti (A wasp forming pointed galls on eucalyptus melliodora)

Terobiella sp. (genus) (A gall forming wasp)

Terobiella sp. (genus)
Terobiella sp. (genus)
Terobiella sp. (genus)

Terpandrus jumbunna (Gumleaf Katydid)

Terpandrus jumbunna
Terpandrus jumbunna
Terpandrus jumbunna

Terpandrus sp. (genus) (Gumleaf Katydid)

Terpandrus sp. (genus)
Terpandrus sp. (genus)
Terpandrus sp. (genus)

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Conservation level

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Invasiveness

Insects

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2,162,929 sightings of 20,524 species in 6,669 locations from 11,834 contributors
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