All hail the mighty protector of the Aphids....

[mattd85]

Hi all,

What happens when the Larvae of a Ladybird tries to feed on aphids? The Farming Ants jump to their protection! I watched for around 5 minutes as the Ants scuttled and stumbled around climbing on top of the Larvae, Biting and pulling with those powerful mandibles. Nature can be cruel, but sometimes cruel is necessary.

‪#‎Ant‬ ‪#‎Ladybird‬ ‪#‎Larvae‬ ‪#‎Macro‬ ‪#‎Nature‬

Protector of the aphids by Matthew Doogue, on Flickr

Take him down boys! by Matthew Doogue, on Flickr

and a crop

I wouldn't like to be on the end of them! by Matthew Doogue, on Flickr

 

[G.K.Jnr.]

Three very nice images Matt, with some fine detail. #1 would be my fav'.

George.

 

[TimmyG]

Boom! Great stuff, macro reportage from the battle field. Excellent

 

[Paul Iddon]

Super stuff Matt - well done m8.

Paul.

 

[damage]

Saw these on flickr , superb work !

 

[mattd85]

Thanks everyone! This is a new species of Ant for me too!!

 

[Tintin124]

#3 brilliant... great moment shot

 

[cruso]

Great work and super detail

 

[mattd85]

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 34016]

awesome set as usual my friend

Les

 

[ModmanQ6]

Wow your pics are so stunning! So is it the rig, the steady hand, the manual settngs (of course a combo of all) that makes for such sharp images with the great minute details? 150 frames for every one published? I've got my T2i and the 100mm usm lens, but find that even my sharpest focal points are never that clear. I guess I'll just keep working on it daily...

 

[mattd85]

Thanks @Lez325

@ModmanQ6 I shoot hand held, I tend to hold my breath whilst focusing which actually does help. I find f9 is sharpest for the mpe lens I use. Keep at it

 

[ModmanQ6]

Thanks I'll try a stable subject and will cycle through my f stops and see if I can find the sweet spot.

 

[mattd85]

No probs