Insect species

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The following moderators provide knowledge and expertise for Insects:

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

5881 species

Acosmeryx anceus (Acosmeryx anceus)

Acosmeryx anceus
Acosmeryx anceus
Acosmeryx anceus

Acraea terpsicore (Tawny Coster)

Acraea terpsicore
Acraea terpsicore
Acraea terpsicore

Acrapex exsanguis (A noctuid moth)

Acrapex exsanguis
Acrapex exsanguis
Acrapex exsanguis

Acrida conica (Giant green slantface)

Acrida conica
Acrida conica
Acrida conica

Acrididae sp. (family) (Unidentified Grasshopper)

Acrididae sp. (family)
Acrididae sp. (family)
Acrididae sp. (family)

Acrocercops eupetala (Acrocercops eupetala)

Acrocercops irrorata (A Leaf Miner (Gracillariidae))

Acrocercops irrorata
Acrocercops irrorata
Acrocercops irrorata

Acrocercops laciniella (Blackbutt Leafminer)

Acrocercops laciniella
Acrocercops laciniella
Acrocercops laciniella

Acrocercops ophiodes (A Leaf Miner Moth)

Acrocercops ophiodes
Acrocercops ophiodes

Acroceridae (family) (Hunchback Fly)

Acroceridae (family)

Acrodipsas aurata (Golden Ant-blue)

Acrodipsas aurata
Acrodipsas aurata
Acrodipsas aurata

Acrodipsas brisbanensis (Bronze Ant-blue)

Acrophylla titan (Titan Stick Insect)

Acrophylla titan
Acrophylla titan
Acrophylla titan

Acropolitis (genus) (A Tortricid moth)

Acropolitis (genus)
Acropolitis (genus)
Acropolitis (genus)

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Insects

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2,148,925 sightings of 19,884 species in 6,408 locations from 11,278 contributors
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