Insects


A guide to Australian insect families (from CSIRO) can be found at:
http://anic.ento.csiro.au/insectfamilies/

Daley, A. & Ellingsen, K., 2012. Insects of Tasmania: An online field guide

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.

Announcements

5 May 2025

Hello NatureMaprsAs we move into the cooler months and sighting counts begin to wind down our team has been working tirelessly to ensure our platform’s usability and performance. All merch has been po...


Continue reading

Improvements to data import tool (coming soon)

NatureMapr welcomes Edgar McNamara

Platform wide attribute changes

New Feature: Moderator Quick Responses!

Discussion

WendyEM wrote:
19 min ago
Tachystola sidonia
https://bold-au.hobern.net/specimens.php?taxid=407311

Heteroteucha dichroella
WendyEM wrote:
30 min ago
Artiastis ptochopa
https://bold-au.hobern.net/specimens.php?taxid=407392
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?verifiable=true&taxon_id=566856&place_id=6744&preferred_place_id=6744

Unverified Concealer moth (Oecophoridae)
WendyEM wrote:
44 min ago
Hypena gypsospila
https://bold-au.hobern.net/specimens.php?taxid=64220
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?verifiable=true&taxon_id=986316&place_id=6744&preferred_place_id=6744
https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/b9007066-07f7-4d69-978f-68c1e133c360#names
https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/Hypena_gypsospila

Hypena gypsospila
WendyEM wrote:
1 hr ago
Spelling is - Olene dryina I am still considering if I concur with this ID

Unverified Moth (Lepidoptera)
ibaird wrote:
2 hrs ago
I don't see the distinct palps structure and forewing markings of A. commoni here.

Unverified Concealer moth (Oecophoridae)
817,839 sightings of 22,308 species from 14,051 members
CCA 3.0 | privacy
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.