belostomatidae
awild | November 24, 2009
Belostoma sp. water bug, Illinois
I'm so used to taking photos of fast-moving ants and beetles that a sedentary insect comes as something of a relief. Instead, the challenge with this Belostoma giant water bug was lighting the shot.
Aquariums are prone to reflections and dust on the glass. I arranged a diffused flash above the tank, positioned behind the glass so as not to leave a reflection by illuminating the camera.
Photo details: Canon 100mm f2.8 macro lens on a Canon EOS 50D
ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/200 sec, diffused overhead flash
awild | September 16, 2009
Lethocerus sp., California
I don't know how I missed it when it came out, but The Dragonfly Woman has a post up on how to identify the three North American genera of giant water bugs. Check it out.