Stink bug - Up real close

Hi Grahame,

I don't know what that 2nd tube part is. A quick search resulted in nothing. (: Now I'm curious, so if you find out please do tell!

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Originally Posted by Stagecoach

Hi Christina, Glad you told me what one of those 'tubes' is, I'm still trying to fathom what the second one's for. The patterns on the undersides of some of these critters are fascinating, here's an underside of No 1 in the last thread of these.

http://i61.tinypic.com/4jwf80.jpg

Grahame

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Christina,
If you're referring to what appears to be the 'second tube' in this image (running along the ventral surface between the legs), I believe it is the lower lip (labium) which is trough-like. The sucking mouth parts (mandible and maxilla) lie within the trough when not in use. I'm pretty sure the labium is fixed, in that it doesn't move. Think sheath for the mandible/maxilla sword.

Grahame,
Great detailed shots, showing both the complexity and beauty of these bugs. The yellow/black or black/orange colors, et. al are typically visual warnings to predators that the bug is foul tasting. The Monarch butterfly is another example of toxicity and warning colors.

Every piece is a Masterpiece; awesome :)

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Originally Posted by Gigi71

Awesome! :)

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Thank you Brigitte, yep, bugs are great !

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Originally Posted by AB26

The colour, contrast, focus, lighting, it is all so beautifully done. :)

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Thanks Andre,

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Originally Posted by Kaye Leggett

Great shots and thanks for sharing the techniques used to achieve.

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Thank you Kaye, the problem is having the patience to use the techniques:)

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Originally Posted by flashback

Christina,
If you're referring to what appears to be the 'second tube' in this image (running along the ventral surface between the legs), I believe it is the lower lip (labium) which is trough-like. The sucking mouth parts (mandible and maxilla) lie within the trough when not in use. I'm pretty sure the labium is fixed, in that it doesn't move. Think sheath for the mandible/maxilla sword.

Grahame,
Great detailed shots, showing both the complexity and beauty of these bugs. The yellow/black or black/orange colors, et. al are typically visual warnings to predators that the bug is foul tasting. The Monarch butterfly is another example of toxicity and warning colors.

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Jack, Christina,

I have done some more investigation regarding the tubes but there seems a lack of reference to the purpose of the two clearly separate items. How Jack describes them makes sense as this can clearly be seen looking at the first three shots. It's also noticeable that the forward one 'extends' as necessary. The rear trough like tube, labium, seems to be able to be folded up or hanging down depending on different pictures I have looked at.

Thanks for the information Jack, it's surprising what you start to see and query when viewing the details of these tiny critters.

Grahame

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Originally Posted by Wavelength

Every piece is a Masterpiece; awesome :)

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Thank you Nandakumar, there sure are some awesome creatures about.

Yes, that is exactly what I was referring to. Very interesting and anatomical features

Thank you Jack! Truly appreciated that you took the time.

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Originally Posted by flashback

Christina,
If you're referring to what appears to be the 'second tube' in this image (running along the ventral surface between the legs), I believe it is the lower lip (labium) which is trough-like. The sucking mouth parts (mandible and maxilla) lie within the trough when not in use. I'm pretty sure the labium is fixed, in that it doesn't move. Think sheath for the mandible/maxilla sword.

Grahame,
Great detailed shots, showing both the complexity and beauty of these bugs. The yellow/black or black/orange colors, et. al are typically visual warnings to predators that the bug is foul tasting. The Monarch butterfly is another example of toxicity and warning colors.

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Grahame,

Thanks for sharing and confirming Jack's answer.

My best guess would've been that it was a special appendage built to snare unsuspecting prey but I think these critters are vegetarians. ;)

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Originally Posted by Stagecoach

Jack, Christina,

I have done some more investigation regarding the tubes but there seems a lack of reference to the purpose of the two clearly separate items. How Jack describes them makes sense as this can clearly be seen looking at the first three shots. It's also noticeable that the forward one 'extends' as necessary. The rear trough like tube, labium, seems to be able to be folded up or hanging down depending on different pictures I have looked at.

Thanks for the information Jack, it's surprising what you start to see and query when viewing the details of these tiny critters.

Grahame

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Originally Posted by Stagecoach

Hi Izzie, I tried that and it does not look right to me for some unknown reason:confused:

Grahame

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I understand...Your work, your choice.
Cheers......

simply awesome!

looks great!

well this is frustrating. My web connection is too slow to load your three pictures all at once. But from the little bits I have seen they look very impressive.

Erick, Dedric and Brian

Thanks for commenting.

Brian, I understand the frustrations well but fortunately in the past year our connection speeds have improved much here.

Grahame