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Michel Pilon
05-06-2010, 06:01 PM
Hello all,

Here is a Poplar Borer (Saperda calcarata) I photographed last July 26th, 2009 at Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.

This is a quite big bug and was very fascinating to observ. I was able to get this picture with my bridge Panasonic FZ-20. I had to wait until he decided to take off!

Thank you for your comments :)

Michel


Swollen bark areas, sap run and piles of frass around the entrance to galleries near the base of the trunk and the roots are signs of the poplar borer’s presence. Bark swelling caused by larval activity is more visible in young poplars. The insect prefers trees with a diameter just over 10 cm, in low density stands.

The insect has a long life cycle, extending over 3 to 4 years. The adults feed on the foliage and the tender bark of twigs. The females lay their eggs in slits they have cut in the bark. After hatching, the larvae begin feeding in the cambium and then penetrate into the heartwood by creating deep galleries. In the spring of the last year of larval development, the larvae change into pupae and then into adults.

The poplar borer is a species native to North America. It is found throughout the geographic range of poplar in Canada and the United States. The borer usually attacks poplars growing on poor sites.

http://parcours.pilonm.org/pictures/insectes/saperdeDuPeuplier23.jpg



Make = Panasonic
Model = DMC-FZ20
Orientation = top/left
Software = Adobe Photoshop CS Windows
Date Time = 2010-04-18 19:33:33
[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/250"
F Number = F4
Exposure Program = Normal program
ISO Speed Ratings = 100
Exif Version = Version 2.2
Date Time Original = 2009-07-26 09:09:10
Date Time Digitized = 2009-07-26 09:09:10
Exposure Bias Value = -0.33EV
Max Aperture Value = F2.83
Metering Mode = Spot
Light Source = unknown
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 6mm

Mike Moats
05-06-2010, 06:16 PM
Hey Michel, very cool critter find. Love the tones in the wings, and he stand out well against the nice BG. I would suggest a slight crop off the top, seems like more negative space then is needed.

Julie Kenward
05-06-2010, 08:32 PM
I agree with Mike that you have more space at the top than you really need. I'd go up about an inch above his antenna and crop it there. I also wish the left side of the tree were more in focus or out of the image. It looks funny to me that the right side is so sharp and the left is not. I know they are on two different planes but it feels odd for some reason. Let's see what the others have to say.

Excellent details on the insect, though. I really like the angle that you photographed him at - it almost looks like he's getting ready for take-off!

Ken Childs
05-07-2010, 07:20 AM
Hey Michael, this is a great shot, IMHO. Your timing was excellent! The OOF area on the left doesn't really bother me. I agree with others that you should crop some from the top.

Michel Pilon
05-10-2010, 04:58 PM
Hello all,

Thank you very much for your pertinent comments always so appreciated :-)

I agree with you to apply more some cropping. Like Ken, the OOF area on the left doesn't really bother me too.

So here is the modification.

ORIGINAL:
=======

http://parcours.pilonm.org/pictures/insectes/saperdeDuPeuplier23-2.jpg



AFTER CROPPING:
=============

http://parcours.pilonm.org/pictures/insectes/saperdeDuPeuplier23.jpg



Do you prefer it like that as I do?

Cheers,

Michel