Cysteodemus armatus, the inflated beetle.

[mike_c]

Cysteodemus armatus, the inflated beetle. A spider like blister beetle in the Meloidae. Imperial County, California.



I hope you enjoy it! There are more images at https://mcamann.smugmug.com/Insect-macro-photography

[bobbieinok]

1. Wow! Those 4 that 1st show up are beautiful!

[Jane Austin]

2. Thanks.

Beautiful photographs.

[Callalily]

3. Wow! Very Nice!

[3Hotdogs]

4. How do ya get 'em to stand still?

[mike_c]

5. They're pinned specimens from an entomology collection.

I clone out the pin in post processing. And the white background is real-- it's not a photoshop fill layer. I pose the specimens a couple inches above a piece of white foam board. I curate an entomology teaching collection, which is a mixed blessing. On the one hand there are lots of specimens to choose from, but on the other they are not well presented, legs folded unevenly, wings wonky, etc., and being handled frequently it's often hard to find specimens with all of their appendages.

[3Hotdogs]

6. Thanx.