Insect species

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The following moderators provide knowledge and expertise for Insects:

WingsToWander  |  HarveyPerkins  |  AlisonMilton  |  canberrabutterflies

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Overview

A guide to Australian insect families (from CSIRO) can be found at:
http://anic.ento.csiro.au/insectfamilies/

A useful introduction to Insects, visit:
http://australianmuseum.net.au/uploads/documents/9362/invertebrate_guide.pdf

A diagram of Insect morphology illustrating terminology with legend of body parts:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_morphology#/media/File:Insect_anatomy_diagram.svg

A diagram of an insect illustrating terminology based on a worker ant, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaster_(insect_anatomy)#/media/File:Scheme_ant_worker_anatomy-en.svg

Photographing insects

There are two main ways to photograph insects with a camera: using a macro close-up lens or a zoom lens. If the insect tolerates your getting very close, then you can use the macro lens. For example, some moths will remain quite still when approached, believing they are camouflaged and invisible. However, many insects, especially those that can fly, will move away when you approach. This is especially true for insects like butterflies and dragonflies. So a good zoom lens is very useful for photographing many insects. If you are using a smartphone, then use a macro lens or a macro attachment. E.g. OlloClip for iPhone. If you want to have an insect identified to species then clear photographs are usually needed because minute parts of the anatomy may need to be checked. It is valuable to take several photos from various angles so that these anatomical details can be seen. Many insects are have particular plants that they feed on, and they can be identified more easily when the associated plant is known. So if the insect is resting or feeding on a plant, take note of what the plant is or ensure that a photo shows the plant clearly.

530 species

Exaireta spinigera (Garden Soldier Fly)

Exaireta spinigera
Exaireta spinigera
Exaireta spinigera

Fulgoroidea sp. (superfamily) (Unidentified fulgoroid planthopper)

Fulgoroidea sp. (superfamily)
Fulgoroidea sp. (superfamily)
Fulgoroidea sp. (superfamily)

Galanga labeculata (Double-spotted cicada)

Galanga labeculata
Galanga labeculata
Galanga labeculata

Gastrimargus musicus (Yellow-winged Locust or Grasshopper)

Gastrimargus musicus
Gastrimargus musicus
Gastrimargus musicus

Gastrophora henricaria (Fallen-bark Looper, Beautiful Leaf Moth)

Gastrophora henricaria
Gastrophora henricaria
Gastrophora henricaria

Geitoneura acantha (Ringed Xenica)

Geitoneura acantha
Geitoneura acantha
Geitoneura acantha

Geitoneura klugii (Marbled Xenica)

Geitoneura klugii
Geitoneura klugii
Geitoneura klugii

Geranomyia sp. (genus) (A limoniid crane fly)

Geranomyia sp. (genus)
Geranomyia sp. (genus)
Geranomyia sp. (genus)

Glycaspis sp. (genus) (Unidentified sugary lerp)

Glycaspis sp. (genus)
Glycaspis sp. (genus)
Glycaspis sp. (genus)

Gminatus australis (Orange assassin bug)

Gminatus australis
Gminatus australis
Gminatus australis

Goniaea australasiae (Gumleaf grasshopper)

Goniaea australasiae
Goniaea australasiae
Goniaea australasiae

Goniaea sp. (genus) (A gumleaf grasshopper)

Goniaea sp. (genus)
Goniaea sp. (genus)
Goniaea sp. (genus)

Grammodes ocellata (Large-eyed Box-Owlet)

Grammodes ocellata
Grammodes ocellata

Gryllacrididae (family) (Unidentified Raspy Cricket)

Gryllacrididae (family)
Gryllacrididae (family)
Gryllacrididae (family)

Grylloidea (superfamily) (Unidentified cricket)

Grylloidea (superfamily)
Grylloidea (superfamily)
Grylloidea (superfamily)

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Insects

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2,148,925 sightings of 19,884 species in 6,408 locations from 11,278 contributors
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