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The best insect photos of 2009

December 23, 2009 by myrmecos

In 2009 the world’s macrophotographers- both amateur and professional- continued to capture breathtaking images of the arthropod microscape.  I’ve been bookmarking insect photos from around the web that catch my eye, and after spending some time this week reviewing the candidates I’ve selected nine favorites. Wow. These are the images from fellow photographers that most captured my imagination over the past year.

Together, by Jan Zajc

untitled, by Bonali Giuseppe

Frog beetle ready for take-off, by Alfred Preuss

Ants climbing tree, by Uros Kotnik

Water striders, by Clay Bolt

Eyes of a Holcocephala fusca Robber Fly, by Thomas Shahan

Eight-legged vaudeville, by Rick Lieder

untitled, by Igor Siwanowicz

Eucharitid wasp, by Rundstedt B. Rovillos

Last year’s picks are here.

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Posted in Nature, Photography Links | Tagged 2009, Insects, macrophotography, Photography | 28 Comments

28 Responses

  1. on December 23, 2009 at 11:09 am ihateaphids

    that eucharitid is pretty badass


  2. on December 23, 2009 at 12:54 pm The Year in Bugs | The Loom | Discover Magazine

    [...] Alex Wild picks his favorite images of insects from the year. [...]


  3. on December 23, 2009 at 1:13 pm Warren

    Thank you


  4. on December 23, 2009 at 3:38 pm Henry W. Robison

    These are absolutely fabulous! Thanks Alex for making these available to us on your blog. What about a “Top 10 of Alex Wild” for 2009?


    • on December 23, 2009 at 3:40 pm myrmecos

      Thanks Henry! I’m working on it- I’ll have a selection of my own best up in a few days.


  5. on December 23, 2009 at 5:46 pm Dave

    Have to agree with the aphidophobe, the eucharitid is pretty spectacular, especially considering the probable size. Looking forward to your own selection.


  6. on December 23, 2009 at 7:25 pm Pete Yeeles

    All great photos. Love the background on the first image, and the frog beetle capture is superb. Looks robotic, with the metallic sheen and wings unfurling.


  7. on December 23, 2009 at 7:38 pm Johnny

    Stunning – Thanks!!!


  8. on December 23, 2009 at 9:49 pm Damsels in Eustress « microecos

    [...] of my favorite blogs struck a peculiar resonance today.  Alex Wild has posted his favorite insect photos (plus a spider) of 2009.  All of them are very good and some, such as Jan Zajc’s photo of mating damsel flies shown [...]


  9. on December 24, 2009 at 2:14 am Margaret

    Just magnificent. Thank you!


  10. on December 24, 2009 at 10:01 am Rick Lieder

    Thanks for including me among all these excellent images, Alex. Impressive work!


  11. on December 24, 2009 at 4:37 pm JefFlyingV

    Magnificent photos.
    The 2 caterpillars, are they from the same species or are they distant cousins? Moth or butterfly?


    • on December 26, 2009 at 10:50 am James C. Trager

      The fine points of anatomy, including little tubercle on the caudal horn, and general pattern are the same, so even though not by any means expert in this family of insects, I feel fairly comfortable saying these are very likely the same species of “hornworm”, or Sphingidae. They grow up into “hawk moths”. There you go, three terms to google for more info.


      • on December 26, 2009 at 10:51 am James C. Trager

        Oops. I meant tubercles, plural.


      • on December 27, 2009 at 7:24 pm Jefflyingv@aol.com

        Thank you sir, no need to google hawk moths.


  12. on December 24, 2009 at 5:41 pm Top Posts — WordPress.com

    [...] The best insect photos of 2009 In 2009 the world’s macrophotographers- both amateur and professional- continued to capture breathtaking images [...] [...]


  13. on December 25, 2009 at 12:26 pm zhaphod

    It just blows my mind to think that nature has produced such beauty and marvel. It also brings up the question of why we find these things beautiful.

    Fantastic pictures. thanks.


  14. on December 25, 2009 at 1:29 pm Ulli Peiler

    Your selection is just mind blowing. It’s discovery without harming, detail without section, respect without intrusion.


  15. on December 25, 2009 at 2:27 pm Rick Lieder

    “Discovery without harming” – Well put, Ulli.


  16. on December 28, 2009 at 9:02 am The Best of Myrmecos 2009 « Myrmecos Blog

    [...] 28, 2009 by myrmecos Earlier I listed my pick of the best insect photos of the year taken by other photographers. Now it’s my turn. In 2009, I snapped 8000 exposures to produce [...]


  17. on December 29, 2009 at 9:54 am אנה מונטנה

    Just wow!!! what a beautiful pictures as much insects might be beautiful.. XP..

    How do you take photos of them? what is the techniqu?


  18. on December 30, 2009 at 6:49 am Walter Kurutz

    Incredible, and some say we were put on this planet with a Big Bang, who created such beauty? God of course! :)


  19. on December 31, 2009 at 7:31 am The best insect photos of 2009 « Probestblog's Blog

    [...] In 2009 the world’s macrophotographers- both amateur and professional- continued to capture breathtaking images of the arthropod microscape.  I’ve been bookmarking insect photos from around the web that catch my eye, and after spending some time this week reviewing the candidates I’ve selected nine favorites. Wow. These are the images from fellow photographers that most captured my imagination over the past year.  Click here to check them out: [...]


  20. on December 31, 2009 at 8:45 pm Dutch1962

    Very nice,

    God is a wonderful architect.


  21. on May 5, 2010 at 6:03 pm Anonymous

    those bugs are nasty


  22. on May 5, 2010 at 6:04 pm Anonymous

    those bugs are the best photes in the world


  23. on May 17, 2010 at 9:20 pm Utah Exterminator

    Wow! Those are some of the best insect photos I have ever seen. Post some more please.


  24. on May 19, 2010 at 3:56 pm Brooks

    What are your dreams for me?



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