Oldt1mer - Keith's photos with the keyword: Macro

The beautiful Meadow Cranesbill – Geranium pratense – is also known as the Meadow Geranium and is a wildflower found in clumps up to 1m broad. Native to Europe and Asia it is a very hardy perennial which can withstand cold down to -20C. It is very popular with insects because of the high sugar content of its nectar which is 57-71%! This beauty was seen at Martin Mere during summer. This Picture is fully © Copyrighted. None of my images may be copied, reproduced or altered in any form or manner or placed on the internet or any other social media, or in any form of publication either print or otherwise, in any form or manner without my written permission.

The lovely and very clever Comma - Polygonia c-album - butterfly is also commonly referred to as an 'Anglewing' butterfly because of the angular notches on the edges of the forewing. Clever because, to reduce predation, the larvae mimics a bird dropping whilst the adult, when its wings are folded, looks like a fallen leaf. Common in Europe, North Africa and Asia there are several subspecies and all are strong fliers. This one was seen at Three Sisters, Wigan. This Picture is fully © Copyrighted. None of my images may be copied, reproduced or altered in any form or manner or placed on the internet or any other social media, or in any form of publication either print or otherwise, in any form or manner without my written permission.

The Harlequin Ladybird - Harmonia axyridis - is one of the UK's largest ladybird at 8mm and is widespread across the UK. One of the most invasive insects in the world, it is of Asian origin and first arrived in the UK in 2004, rapidly becoming one of the most common in the country as it can have multiple broods throughout the spring, summer and autumn. It is also a predator being able to out compete native species for food and also eating their eggs and larvae. To explain, it took 100 years for the Grey Squirrel to spread though the UK ... it took the Harlequin less than 10 years. Over 100 different colour patterns have been recorded so identification can be awkward at times. This one was seen at Pennington Flash, Leigh. This Picture is fully © Copyrighted. None of my images may be copied, reproduced or altered in any form or manner or placed on the internet or any other social media, or in any form of publication either print or otherwise, in any form or manner without my written permission.

This is the Alder Leaf Beetle - Agelastica alni - and it is that little black (actually a very deep metallic blue as you can see) shiny beetle that is seen, in sometimes large numbers, chewing holes out of every leaf on alder trees in the springtime (although these two seem to have found something else to occupy them). They greatly favour the Alder but will also munch their way through Beech, Birch, Hazel and Hornbeam leaves as do their black caterpillar larvae. They are widespread in Europe and were also introduced to the US in the 19th century. Once considered extinct in the UK it was found again in Manchester in 2004 and seems to be thriving and extending their range to other areas. This pair were seen at Pennington Flash, Leigh. This Picture is fully © Copyrighted. None of my images may be copied, reproduced or altered in any form or manner or placed on the internet or any other social media, or in any form of publication either print or otherwise, in any form or manner without my written permission.

This is a female Myathropa florea, sometimes known as the Batman Hoverfly or Dead Head Hoverfly because the bold yellow and black markings of the male are much more defined. It is a very common species in Europe and North Africa This one was spotted at Puerto Banus whilst on a trip to Spain a few years ago. This Picture is fully © Copyrighted. None of my images may be copied, reproduced or altered in any form or manner or placed on the internet or any other social media, or in any form of publication either print or otherwise, in any form or manner without my written permission.