assassins & mushrooms

well, first picture post here, so go easy on me :p
This is next to my driveway with a new to me 50mm minolta macro lens on sony a100. I haven't had time to do any post processing.

Whenever these mushrooms pop up (I have no idea what they are) but the flies love 'em... and then come the predators. These are some nymph assassin bugs w/ some wing buds. They'll become fully winged adults soon, the next molt.

#1 assassin bug preying on small flies (fruit flies?)

#2 a bottle fly joins the fun

Very nice shots! At first I didn't realize how many flies were in that second shot.

thanks!
yeah, and I scared away the bulk of the fruit flies when I sidled up to take pictures, there were hundreds on the mushrooms.

nice, ive noticed flies around shrooms before, and ants but ive need seen an assassin bug yet.

next step is get a good close up of just the assassin bug, as it looks pretty bad ass.

Hello, logbiter, and welcome.

These are very nice and sharp images. The second image is very funny - looks like daddy fly getting ready to clobber the assassin for eating the baby fly (not really but you know...)

Those mushrooms must sure be smelly.

These are fascinating.
I'd like to know what the name of the mushrooms is.
I know what they look like

btw i forgot to point out in my previous post, the mushroom cap has been broken ( i know deer eat alot of shrooms) which may attract lots of insects to it? presenting easy access to the tender insides?


might want to try breaking one in the future if your tryign to attract more subjects.

Great pics. can't wait to see more of your work. Keep posting and welcome to the site. I am relatively new and have learned a lot here. I want a nice macro lens for my next addition to my bag.

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Originally Posted by bwood63

I want a nice macro lens for my next addition to my bag.

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me too! The 50mm 2.8 is really nice, but you have to get darn close to the subject, which isn't easy with many insects. A decent macro in the 100mm range is much more desireable.

Thanks all for the props! I haven't noticed a strong smell coming from these mushrooms, but insects are much more attuned to certain smells than we are. I'm working on an ID for them.

Here's an adult assassin bug on shrooms. 100mm 'plastic fantastic' vivitar lens. The light wasn't very good & it was my first time using this lens (thanks for great price Adorama!). I had to use the onboard flash, which is pretty... meh. :rolleyes:

I'm hoping to get an external flash soon, as you really need the fill for macro work.

Happy Mardi Gras all!

In your latest image, it looks like a hungry man at a buffet line :)

Nice shots logbiter, welcome to the forum.

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Originally Posted by Loupey

In your latest image, it looks like a hungry man at a buffet line :)

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LOL
Ha, that's about right! This guy was on at least his 3rd morsel when I figured he might be gorged enough to coax around my side of the mushroom for some pictures.

These insects with piercing & sucking mouthparts can give you a nice li'l bite, if you mess with them enough. :eek:

very nice images!

I can't help with the mushrooms, but that assassin bug is just awesome.