Hey Lady! by TwoPynts
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A sure sign of Spring is when the ladybugs start visiting our garden. But with temperatures in the 80's (F), it is starting to feel like Summer! Many thanks to my wife for the painted ladybug in the top left corner. ----- Ladybug or Ladybird Beetle Phylum, Arthropoda; Class, Insecta; Order, Coleoptera Coccinellidae is a family of beetles, known variously as ladybirds (Commonwealth English), ladybugs (North American English) or lady beetles (preferred by scientists). The word "lady" in the name is thought to allude to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Catholic faith. Coccinellids are found worldwide, with over 4,500 species described, more than 450 native to North America alone. Coccinellids are small insects, ranging from 1 mm to 10 mm (0.04 to 0.4 inches), and are usually yellow, orange, or red with small black spots on their carapace, with black legs, head and feelers. As the family name suggests, they are usually quite round in shape. Because they are useful, colourful, and harmless to humans, coccinellids are typically considered cute even by people who hate most insects. Some people consider them to be a sign of good luck. Coccinellids are brightly coloured to ward away potential predators. This defence works because most predators associate bright colours (especially orange and black or yellow and black) with poison and other unpleasant properties. This phenomenon is called aposematism. In fact, most coccinellids are indeed toxic to smaller predators, such as lizards and small birds; however, a human would have to eat several hundred coccinellids before feeling any effects. Adult coccinellids are able to reflex-bleed from their leg joints, releasing their oily yellow toxin with a strong repellent smell. This becomes quite obvious when one handles a coccinellid roughly. Coccinellids copulate for up to nine hours at a time, and males may have three 90-minute orgasms in one session (WOW WOW WOW!). Coccinellids lay eggs which hatch into a larval state. The larvae then go into a pupal stage before becoming an adult coccinellid. Coccinellids lay extra infertile eggs with the fertile eggs. These appear to provide a backup food source for the larvae when they hatch. The ratio of infertile to fertile eggs increases as with scarcity of food at the time of egg laying. To read even more, you can visit the Coccinellidae page at Wikipedia.org. ----- Thank you for your lily livered comments on my last upload, Between the Shadows.
----- Olympus C8080WZ & PhotoshopCS. (608)

Comments (53)
a fascinating macro shot. great use of DOF. excellent presented in this frame ! #:O)
I hate when the lil ladies start coming indoors..but lovely capture..S
A Bug's Life is still my favorite (Humorous) 3D animation!!! That Lady bug looks more like an armored transport!!! Excellent macro!!
Superb macro!! Incredible work.
Wow, killer macro work Kort! Thanks for all the accompanying info. I love the little ladybug at the top-left edge of the frame. Splendid DOF and compo too! Have an awesome day buddy!
Wow, where did you find such a big one? LOL..J/K Superb Shot & info as always.
Could you get a little closer. I can't see what shade of lipstick she is wearing. Nice work here! KP
Excellent macro, fantastic image:):)..V
Superb macro!!!and nice presentation! Bravo!!!
LOL!I can't believe no one has commented yet on this..."Coccinellids copulate for up to nine hours at a time, and males may have three 90-minute orgasms in one session"...No wonder they're red!That's even longer than Sting,lol...Okay,nuff of that...Wonderful capture Kortalouche.One of the best I've seen of this lil bugger.Oh and I love your wife's little contribution,too.Great upload.Have a wonderful evening.-M :^)
Splendid macro!!! Bravo :)
Awesome shot, and very interesting information! The upper-left corner ladybug looks real -- kudos to your wife for her talent too.
so lovely.....I love ladybirds.....
Great capture of a wonderful lady
Great Macro and info!!Lol !! These bugs do have a better life than expected..
WOW really like this one!!! The way you have put that second lady bug up at the top is so cool!!! WOW!!!
" Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home Your house is on fire and your children are gone All except one, and that's Little Anne For she has crept under the warming pan."
beautiful lady bug shot!! find one pick her up and all the day your'll have good luck!!... awesome marcro kort!
Crystal clear macro- amazing!
Fabulous macro in a remarkable compo...
Impressiv shot and the color and lighting is perfect!!! excellent work ;) good day and kiss
Wat a fantastic macro. First of the all the incredible enlargement of size of the insect itselfs.. then the compo... well.. everything.
Top-quality macrophoto ! Excellent work, Kort ! :~)
A fabulous shot and the ladybird does so much good in the garden. Great to see her so close up.
THAT is an incredible shot!
Fantastic shot.
A bug's life...great flick, great Macro-capture, but Miss Ladybug might need some more flying lessons, check the dent in her front left wing- cover ! OUCH, well at least she's found a nice leafy retreat, kool stuff ~Cheers~ :o)
Look at her posing for you! I usually can only capture them running the other way! Really awesome ladybug macro...these are difficult to get! Love the frame!
great macro and cute presentation...If the ladybug were all black it ..reminds me of the beetle creatures from the Dark Crystal.