If it is true that you can 'always be birding' then it is doubly true for observing insects, they are everywhere. Reptile-enthusiasts have 'herping', birders go 'birding'. I still haven't settled on what verb to use for when one goes out looking for insects. I've seen 'bugging' suggested as well as 'enting' (from entomology, not those loveable tree-people). Let me know if you have a preferred name for this activity.
Here are some insects I found on the beach one day. It is a popular beach near a metro station, fairly urbanized but with delineated spaces for breeding birds and seaside plants to grow untrampled. The Least Terns had a few crying young that the adults were busy delivering fresh fish from the ocean. I left them alone to their fulfill their parental duties in peace.
Unlike birding, I am still finding 'lifer insects' nearly every trip. All these insects were new to me at the time.
There were many of these small wasps (Microbembex monodonta) flying around.
Came across a Common Lagoon Fly (Eristalinus aeneus). Great eye spotting. The common name makes sense given I found it on the coast.
I thought these were the common Asian Lady Beetles but upon further inspection I think they are actually Variegated Lady Beetle (Hippodamia variegata). Open to suggestions on the ID.
Finally, I was able to catch this wasp digging out its burrow. There were many of these holes pock-marking the beach. Initially I thought they were created by crabs and I wish I grabbed a photo to show you the scene. But they seem to be the nests of these Sand-Loving Wasps (Genus Tachytes) actually. Perfect name for them given their nesting preference of sandy soils. This individual quickly adapted to my lens being so close and began excavating again.
| Camera | Nikon D3200 |
|---|---|
| Lens | Laowa 60mm f/2.8 2X Ultra-Macro |
