January’s photo competition theme was renewal, and our competition entrants did a great job of adding their own interpretation. From a moth hatching from a chrysalis to a carnivorous wasp, to daisies in the dawn we have a selection of stunning photographs to remind us that there is constant renewal in the world, and the circle of life.
Aphid birth
Jon Grove’s winning entry caught an aphid in the act of giving birth to live young. The aphid’s ability to do this is of great importance to their survival – keeping their numbers so high. Almost all the aphids that you see in your garden are female and reproduce asexually and viviparously,
(Image: Jon Grove (GB))
Magnolia Green Jumper
The vibrant green coloring along with a bright orange cap and huge, forward-looking eyes give The Magnolia Green Jumper (Lyssomanes viridis) an “adorable appearance†according to photographer Julia Bartosh. However it is an aggressive hunter and can easily take prey much larger than itself, although in this image the spider is caught “in a tender moment protecting its young. “
(Image: Julia Bartosh (US))
Gruesome recycling
Paper wasps (polistes humilisare) watch in horror as an Asian predatory wasp (Vespa Velutina, a known predator of social wasps and other bees, feasts on their offspring.
(Image: John bruinsma (SG))
Shield Bug Hatchlings
These young Shield bug hatchlings are brightly coloured, which acts as a deterrent to predators. Shield bugs change shape and colour dramatically during their lifetime.
(Image: Jon Grove (GB))
Eye of the day
The Bellis perennis, or more commonly known as a ‘Daisy’ is an archetypical species that is common across Europe and North and South America. Its name may be a derivative from ‘days eye’, reflecting the distinctive daily opening and closing of its flowers.
(Image: Malgorzata Kaczmarek (PL))
Poplar Hawk Moth
While raking leaves in Autumn 2009 Gordon Woolcock found the pupa of this moth in the middle of his drive. Keeping it safe and warm it eventually hatched the following June. The next day a second moth arrived and the pair mated. The next morning they were both gone.
(Image: Gordon Woolcock (GB))
Paper recycling
For Christoph Mueller, this stack of paper and card represents renewal in a simple, modern form. For many years we have been discarding our waste, allowing it to rot into the ground, ignorant of the damage that this may cause. However much can now be salvaged and recycled. As we try harder and harder to renew more of our waste we move a step closer to becoming more responsible guardians of our planet.
(Image: Christoph Mueller (AU))
