Macro – Photos from Northern Norway: A photo blog

Macro picture of ladybug/ladybird (Coccinellidae) hunting plant lice

Insect, Macro, Nature, Norway Norwegen Norge / By Thomas Laupstad

Taken with Olympus E500 digital camera August 8th 2009. Click image for larger view.

I came across this ladybug (or ladybird as it is known in some parts of the world) (Coccinellidae) while I was out photographing. As I looked closer I noticed that the beetle was hunting some plant lice. The lice was feeding on a burdock plant so the plant was probably happy that this ladybug flew by. I have uploaded an extra large version of this picture so please click it to see a larger version where you can see more details.

We have 54 different species of ladybugs in Norway and I’m not completely certain what kind this is as I forgot to count the number of spots on its back. Many of the species feed on plant lice like the ones photographed here, and they are important to keep plant lice in check so their numbers do not get out of control.

Please check out my other insect pictures here.

Information about the picture:
Camera: Olympus E-500 digital SLR camera
Exposure 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture f/5.0
Focal Length: 35 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Lens: Olympus Zuiko Digital 35mm F3.5 Macro
Location: Fjellstrand in Nesodden, Akershus in southeast of Norway

Macro picture of Tephritis bardanae fly on a burdock plant

Fly, Insect, Macro, Norway Norwegen Norge / By Thomas Laupstad

Taken with Olympus EPL-1 digital camera July 2nd 2011. Click image for larger view.

While walking in the outskirts of downtown I stumbled across this small fly on a burdock plant. After doing some research I have figured out that the fly most likely is called Tephritis bardanae. This fly is a part of the fruit fly family that consists of several thousand of species. This particular species is fond of the burdock plant, and as you can see in the picture the fly has landed on such a plant.
It looked like the fly was performing a dance on the plant to attract a partner, but that is pure speculation from my side.

If you take notice of your surroundings you will often find small beautiful things like this fly. Next time you are outside try to look around you and take notice of all the wonderful living beings in the nature, even in a large city 🙂

Please check out my other insect pictures here.

Information about the picture:
Camera: Olympus EPL-1 digital camera
Exposure 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 42 mm
ISO Speed 200
Location: BygdÃ¸y, Oslo

Picture of musk beetle (Aromia moschata)

Insect, Macro / By Thomas Laupstad

Taken with Olympus EPL-1 digital camera July 2nd 2011. Click image for larger view.

Here I have photographed a musk beetle (Aromia moschata) just outside at a place called BygdÃ¸y. It is incredible that you are able to find such beautiful insects so close to a big city.

The musk beetle is very characteristic with coppery or greenish metallic tint and the long antennas (click on the picture to view the insect in a larger view). This beetle can be found in southern Norway and I have seen it several times feeding on trees that has a cut in its trunk. The larvae of musk beetles are known to feed on willow trees and can actually hurt these trees.

Check out my other insect pictures here.

Information about the picture:
Camera: Olympus EPL-1 digital camera
Exposure 0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 42 mm
ISO Speed 320
Location: BygdÃ¸y, Oslo

Close up picture of viviparous lizard / common lizard (Zootoca vivipara)

4 Comments / Macro, Nature, Norway Norwegen Norge / By Thomas Laupstad

Taken with Olympus E500 digital camera April 18th 2011. Click image for larger view.

The viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara) is the only lizard that lives in Norway. It is also known as common lizard and can be found in large parts of Norway. I’ve never seen lizards in Northern Norway, but they are found in a few places in Nordland and Troms, and in large parts of Finnmark. On Nesodden I have often observed lizards on rocks in the sun that disappears quickly when they come aware of risks. According to Wikipedia the common lizard preys on insects and spiders, but is hunted by birds and snakes.

I found this lizard under a stone where it lay perfectly still. It had not woken up from hibernation and thus I got the chance to get close in on the lizard to take this picture. I recommend you to click on the image to see it in large size.

Please check out my other close up / macro images on this page.

Information about the picture:
Camera: Olympus E-500 digital SLR camera
Exposure 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 150 mm
ISO Speed 400
Lens: Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX APO DG HSM Macro
Location: Fjellstrand in Nesodden, Akershus in southeast of Norway

Macro picture of Large marsh grasshopper (Stethophyma grossum) the largest Acrididae in Norway

1 Comment / Insect, Macro, Nature, Norway Norwegen Norge / By Thomas Laupstad

Taken with Olympus E500 digital camera September 6th 2010. Click image for larger view.
After moving to the south of Norway I have discovered many new species of insects that I have never seen in Northern Norway. In this photograph I have found one of these new species. This is a Large marsh grasshopper (Stethophyma grossum) that is quite common around my house. It is the largest Acrididae in Norway and can be quite a sight with its up to 37mm long. This grasshopper is often found in wet grasslands and and close to beaches. Since I live to close to wet areas we have lots of grasshoppers around our house, during the summer, making a constant buzz. Our chickens love to feed on grasshoppers so maybe they taste good?

There is about 30 species of grasshoppers in Norway and I hope I can photograph more species next summer.

Check out my other insect pictures here.

Information about the picture:
Camera: Olympus E-500 digital SLR camera
Exposure 0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture f/6.3
Focal Length 150 mm
ISO Speed 400
Lens: Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX APO DG HSM Macro
Location: Fjellstrand in Nesodden, Akershus in southeast of Norway