WILDLIFE

P H O T O G R A P H Y

IIINSECTS

Insects are a class of invertebrates that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body (head, thorax and abdomen), three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes and one pair of antennae. The word "insect" comes from the Latin word insectum, meaning "with a notched or divided body".

Insects are incredibly diverse, with the number of extant species estimated at between six and ten million.

They represent a staggering 90% of the differing animal life forms on Earth.

Purple Saphire

Heliophorus epicles. Bright yellow underside (seen here), with orange/red margins. Dark upperwings are dashed with purple in males. Often seen "sunbathing" and has a short hopping flight to the flowers it loves.

Bee taking nectar from a Lily.

In Lion's Education Centre.

A carpenter Bee

The name is derived from the Ancient Greek xylokopos/ξῦλοκὀπος "wood-cutter", because nearly all species build their nests in burrows in dead wood, bamboo, or structural timbers.

Common Flangetail.

Ictinogomphus pertinax is a common dragonfly, seen on top of plants or hovering along pond edges, here near Tai Po. Look for the distincitive projection near the end of its abdomen. Please see the blog for more dragonfly information and fun-facts.

Honey Bee on a lotus

Insects make up c.90% of all know species. Here a Bee (Apis mellifera) poses in the natural symmetry of nature for my camera. The honey bee needs an internal body temperature of 35 °C (95 °F) to fly.

Praying or preying Mantis

Mantis religiosa - having a clean of its sharp foreclaws.
The word mantis comes from the Greek mantikos, for soothsayer. unique among insects for their ability to turn their heads a full 180 degrees.

Great Egg or Blue Moon Butterfly

Hypolimnas bolina.
One of the few insects (and butterflys) known for maternal care, with the females guarding leaves where eggs have been laid. Males are also very territorial and site fidelity increases with age.

SpyBug or Tiger Beetle

Cicindela aurulenta, There are four commonly seen species of Tiger Beetle in Hong Kong. These beetles are carnivorous. The fastest species of tiger beetle can run at a speed of 9 km/h (5.6 mph), or about 53.87 body lengths per second. Tiger beetles are considered a good indicator species and have been used in ecological studies on biodiversity.

A Ourapteryx clara moth

A Ourapteryx clara moth, on some ferns out at night.
嘅中文名係長尾尺蛾

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Purple Saphire

Heliophorus epicles. Bright yellow underside (seen here), with orange/red margins. Dark upperwings are dashed with purple in males. Often seen "sunbathing" and has a short hopping flight to the flowers it loves.