??? by jesika2

???

No idea what this ridiculously tiny insect is, all 2mm of it - one of the BIG ones! It lives in a huge family group on Knapweed leaves which they share with a 7 Spot Ladybird.
This is a 7 image in camera stack, will try magnification another day. A little crop and slight lifting of shadows only. Must try harder because it isn't as sharp as I'd prefer.
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Is there no limit to your demand for perfection? This is terrific!! x
October 22nd, 2018  
some kind of aphid? if so the ladybirds will be eating them!
October 22nd, 2018  
@fbailey I thank you, but I'm not totally happy with it, the insect is so very tiny but I'm sure I can do better.
xxj
October 22nd, 2018  
@kali66 I think it probably is an aphid. Apparently there are 100s of different ones, winged and not, green, brown, black, white...Ladybird will sort them but hopefully I'll get better pictures before they are all gobbled up. LOL
j
October 22nd, 2018  
A great macro shot of such a tiny insect - yes I am sure it is an aphid - the lady birds will surely demolish them for you !
October 22nd, 2018  
@beryl Thanks Beryl. It is an Aphid, much smaller than I have seen before, it's smaller even than Whitefly which is diminutive, Greenfly is huge in comparison and MUCH easier to photograph.
j
October 23rd, 2018  
Wow, that's really getting close, nice shot.
October 23rd, 2018  
Oh my word, this is super and so hairy in every direction! Jolly well done
October 23rd, 2018  
what a crisp capture, nature is so amazing!
October 23rd, 2018  
@joev Thanks, Joe, I've been trying to get a better one, not sure if I've managed it yet! LOL
j
October 25th, 2018  
@koalagardens Thank you so much. I found what is either an exuvia or maybe it's a dead & dried out insect today, haven't decided yet. Difficult to photograph because it's much smaller than this minute Aphid.
j
October 25th, 2018  
@casablanca My little Oly Tuffy is a super camera using the focus stacking, not having as much success with the magnification (up to 44.4X) yet.
Thank you very much
j
October 25th, 2018  
Could be an Assassin Bug nymph, although they usually live in Milkweed and you say you found it in Knapweed. Looks very much like one, though. Very good macro. Love the detail. Fav.
October 26th, 2018  
@girlie Thanks, Robin, it's definitely nothing to do with Milkweed, we don't have it here naturally and I was unable to grow it when I tried as a nectar plant. I don't think it's an Assassin bug either, I have no evidence to suggest that it is although I have found what may be exuviae or possibly dead and desicated insects, not sure yet. The "big" ones are about 2mm.
j
October 26th, 2018  
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