Violent Death in the Insect World: Stunning Photography
Death in the domain of the insects can be swift and cruel but retains a magnificence and beauty that is somehow at odds with the brutality of what is happening. Take a look at this collection of awesome photographs and see whether or not you agree – but beware! This is not for the squeamish!
Death in the domain of the insects can be swift and cruel but retains a magnificence and beauty that is somehow at odds with the brutality of what is happening. Take a look at this collection of awesome photographs and see whether or not you agree – but beware! This is not for the squeamish!
Look Out Behind You
“Thus that which is the most awful of evils, death, is nothing to us, since when we exist there is no death, and when there is death we do not exist.” – Epicurus
This Robber Fly is perhaps taking its name far too literally as it steals the life from an unsuspecting beetle. At this moment it is injecting its prey with saliva containing enzymes which paralyze the victim. The enzymes then dissolve the insides of the prey and the resulting mush can be sucked out through the proboscis.
Rebirth?
“For death begins with life’s first breath And life begins at touch of death” – John Oxenham
Out of every evil, it is said, some great good must come. Well, for good, read food in this case. This fly’s death was not in vain – the next generation finds him a tasty nursery snack on its road to adulthood.
Lunch in Mid-Air
“I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.” – Winston Churchill
A spider wasp continues to tear in to its prey despite being on the wing. Previously it had attacked its prey and left it to die, returning for it later. Nature, of course, is oblivious to cruelty. Don’t feel sorry for the poor creature in the spider wasp’s jaws. There is plenty more where it came from!
A Cunning Disguise
“If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn’t brood. I’d type a little faster.” – Isaac Asimov
Cunningly camouflaged as a flower, this spider grabs the opportunity to seize a butterfly just as it was anticipating a long relaxing lunch of nectar. It will proceed to eat every last bit of the butterfly, wings and all.
Death Among The Lavender
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Death stalks a quiet English garden – it’s almost like something out of an Agatha Christie novel. Here a Garden Spider cocoons its wasp victim, to return later for a snack.
The Last Leap
“Dying is a very dull, dreary affair. And my advice to you is to have nothing whatever to do with it.” – W. Somerset Maugham
The circle of life, presented in all its gory glory. A frog is stripped to the bone by a host of young spiders, eager to gorge on its remains. So, one entity expires but leads to the sating of the hunger of so many others.
All You Can Eat Buffet
“As long as I have a want, I have a reason for living. Satisfaction is death.” – George Bernard Shaw
Greenfly and Ladybirds are one of those common sites in gardens and a lot of people believe the ladybird to be a vegetarian because of its attractive coloring and the fact it has been anthropomorphized in so many children’s books. However, the Ladybird is a voracious fan of the Greenfly – literally – and will devour as many as it can eat.
Camouflaged Capture
“The fear of death is the most unjustified of all fears, for there’s no risk of accident for someone who’s dead.” – Albert Einstein
The crab spider is almost the chameleon of the insect world and many different species can hide themselves, barely indistinguishable amongst certain plants. Here, a crab spider that has been laying patiently in wait gets its just reward in the form of a bee which, until the first and final lunge, had been blissfully unaware of its encroaching fate.
Death Before Living
“While I thought that I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die.” – Leonardo da Vinci
You have seen the film Alien, yes? Well, perhaps the Braconid Wasp was the inspiration for that particular nightmare of science fiction. Here we see the result of the wasp’s unwillingness to raise its own young. It has paralyzed the Hog Sphinx Moth caterpillar and its eggs were then laid inside the caterpillar. The cocoons are now pupating on the exterior of the poor thing. Before you ask, yes, it is still alive.
Kiss of the Spiderwoman?
“To die will be an awfully big adventure” – J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan)
When death comes, it is often in glorious Technicolor, even though the insect itself will not see it in quite the way we do. Woody Allen once maintained that he didn’t want to achieve immortality through his own work, but by not dying. Unfortunately, Mr. Allen, that will not be the case.
Vampire Touch
“Our life dreams the Utopia. Our death achieves the Ideal.” – Victor Hugo
Here a damselfly gives a vampire’s touch to an unwitting newly hatched member of its own species. It is amazing that, despite the subject of the photograph, the beauty of both insects shines through. Strange how death can be so gorgeous, isn’t it?
The First Rule of Fight Club
“You only live twice. Once when you are born and once when you look death in the face.” – Ian Fleming (You Only Live Twice)
A wasp and a blue bottle have a chance encounter. This particular spat could leave only one winner. The day of our death is, though, perhaps the birth of eternity. Who can say?
Death Gets a Visitor
“Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force” – Yoda
This dead bee fly has been discovered by a much smaller scavenger, which will no doubt either lay its eggs in the carcass or eat it. Whatever happens, it won’t go to waste!
Dinner Is Served
“Death’s gang is bigger and tougher than anyone else’s. Always has been and always will be. Death’s the man.” – Michael Marshall
One dead creature can be the source of life for hundreds if not thousands of others, so does life go on in a way? The ancient Egyptians believed in the afterlife. They believed they would be asked two questions – and their answers would determine whether or not they would go on to the afterlife. “Did you bring joy?” was the first question. And the second? “Did you find joy?”
Do Not Interrupt My Lunch!
“Do not fear death so much, but rather the inadequate life.” – Bertol Brecht
Can insects look peeved? Perhaps the tendency to anthropomorphize is too great to resist, but this Orchid Praying Mantis is looking ever so slightly miffed at being photographed while it is about to enjoy its breakfast.
Lots of Bottle
“Fear not death, for the sooner we die the longer we shall be immortal.” – Benjamin Franklin
This robberfly savagely attacks its prey – in a few seconds the poor victim will be eviscerated. It is amazing how quickly a life can be extinguished but, unlike Homo sapiens, the insects that we have seen in this collection do it for survival, not for gluttony or sport. We cannot squirm at the sight of these creatures killing and dying without at least a little introspection. Or can we?
Watch What You Eat!
“If you should die before me, ask if you could bring a friend” – Stone Temple Pilots
Always be careful. After all, they do say you are what you eat!
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79 Responses to “Violent Death in the Insect World: Stunning Photography”
On August 18, 2008 at 8:35 am
less quotes next time, and ease up on the sensationalism please
On August 18, 2008 at 8:37 am
I like the quotes, but I would with a name like mine!!
On August 18, 2008 at 9:03 am
I absolutely adore this article. It was gross, at times, but it was very interesting to read.
http://www.momstop.blogspot.com
On August 18, 2008 at 10:02 am
If only there were predators to devour the neighbor’s vile human spawn who continuously make undo noise so as to destroy what little hope I had for peace and quiet within my abode.
Heck, eat the parents of those span, also, for allowing their spawn to run their household and take no remedial action to quell the unnecessary banging and pounding and stomping upon communal floor and wall within the apartment complex.
On August 18, 2008 at 5:09 pm
WOW! These photos are excellent.
On August 18, 2008 at 5:19 pm
As always. excellent.
On August 18, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Absolutely stunning photography! And I like the quotes. You learn something new everyday.
On August 18, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Really gruesome pictures but, I liked it just the same. Well done!
On August 18, 2008 at 7:02 pm
this is very intriguing. Thanks.
On August 18, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Awesome photos… and those quotes make me think a lot about life and death..
On August 19, 2008 at 10:46 am
Lovely quotes and stunning photographs. Great article.
On August 20, 2008 at 10:50 am
So many errors in the captions:
>gets its just reward in the form of a fly
It’s a bee, not a fly.
> Here a dragonfly gives a vampire’s touch to an unwitting grasshopper
It’s a damselfly eating another (recently hatched) damselfly
> Wasps often fight among themselves for territory and resources
Huh? It’s a wasp and a bluebottle, i.e. hunting, not competition.
> This bottle wasp savagely attacks its prey
It’s a robberfly (read the Flickr comments)
On August 20, 2008 at 11:06 am
Thanks, smfr – I will make the necessay corrections asap! Thanks again – I want my articles to be as accurate as possible!
On August 20, 2008 at 10:14 pm
For the picture “The Last Leap”, I do believe those are a host of ANTS, not spiders. Even on the source site, the comments are ant related.
On August 23, 2008 at 1:20 pm
@#1: I think a lot of people liked the quotes.
On August 25, 2008 at 3:13 am
These photos are some of the best ive seen ;D
Nice quotes, intresting info, (first pic was my favorite =D), pretty gross sometimes…
Very nice article!!
On August 26, 2008 at 12:27 am
nice ending and it was cool.
On August 26, 2008 at 6:00 am
Breathtaking photographs and apt quotations. Great. Thanks.
On August 26, 2008 at 8:31 am
Sorry about my english, i’m from Brazil.
I liked a lot, the ending was very good. Most of the quotes fits well the pictures. I like take these kind of pictures of insects. Pictures of things that happens and no one notice it.
Very well, bye
Gustavo Ganso
http://oblogdogusta.blogspot.com
On August 26, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Stunning photography, wonderfully researched article, I love all of the quotes, but then, as an author/writer/composer, I would! Well done!! Keep on doing this, it is amazing!
On August 26, 2008 at 6:50 pm
poor caterpillar! so much suffering.
On August 27, 2008 at 5:45 am
Excellent article that I found quiet enjoyable. Good job and great research.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
On August 27, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Great pictures, not so great text.
On August 28, 2008 at 4:34 am
Stunning images here!
On August 29, 2008 at 7:19 am
wow ! muito loouco !
Very Crazy !
On August 30, 2008 at 2:45 am
Amazing photos!!!!!
On August 30, 2008 at 6:33 pm
eww
On August 31, 2008 at 1:05 pm
#1 looks beast
On August 31, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Just happened by while riding on Google. Nice images. But the “spiders” eating the frog sure look like ants. As far as I know, spiders eat only prey they have killed themselves, ants will eat anything. Am I wrong?
This Is a science blog, right?
On August 31, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Nice article, great images. Kewl!!
On September 1, 2008 at 1:07 pm
The quotes were too over the top for me, and nearly ruined what is an amazing collection of images of insect predation. Very dramatic, I could almost hear them being read out by one of those annoyingly breathless animal documentary narrators.
Great great images though. Next time, more science, less existentialism?
On September 1, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Very interesting and beautiful subject matter.
On September 2, 2008 at 8:57 am
*sighs* the maggots are the fly’s babies – it’s an emergency, premature birth. Lots of flies, and especially the flesh flies, give live birth so they can get first shot at a new food source
On September 2, 2008 at 3:34 pm
A friend sent me a link to this and it made me wish I could’ve submitted a photo for it.
This is what I would’ve submitted:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillybits/2760681939/in/photostream/
On September 2, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Ms. Ward,
You are wrong. In fact, most spiders start off eating something their mom killed–often their dad.
On September 2, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Absolutely Fabulous,I loved it all especially the quotes,very fitting and very very clever.
On September 3, 2008 at 3:23 pm
eeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwww
On September 3, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Wow Sharrann, what a profound appreciation for nature’s beauty you must have. Why don’t you go look at pictures of cats making funny faces if you can’t handle the real animal kingdom? :p
On September 3, 2008 at 6:18 pm
The photos were astonishing! And I enjoyed reading it too!!
Keep writing!!
A.
On September 3, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Great photos! and very entertaining
On September 5, 2008 at 10:19 pm
I love bugs! Amazing images and the quotes added a nice element to the whole experience. http://www.zonaj.net
On September 8, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Great pictures, very adequate quotes to go with them. Very entertaining and educational.
On September 8, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Always remember, nature hates you and wants you to die.
_Horribly._
On September 10, 2008 at 6:57 am
Outstanding photography and icky at the same time. Great job!
On September 10, 2008 at 6:57 pm
the quotes is the best. thats what made me keep reading. my favorite one was “As long as I have a want, I have a reason for living. Satisfaction is death.” – George Bernard Shaw
On September 11, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Hey Bro, I am totally new at this, but you nailed it all the way home. Spectacular photos and everything. Great job!
On September 11, 2008 at 2:34 pm
What incredible pictures (even though the captions might not be spot on)! We’ve grown up knowing this happened but to see it in living color—-it is facinatingly eeeyyyywwwww! Hugely great quotes!
On September 12, 2008 at 9:56 am
These photos are awesome . Thats all I can say about them.
On September 12, 2008 at 10:08 am
Every picture I’m like… “ewww” and yet I scroll down and look at more pictures. I did enjoy some of the quotes.
On September 14, 2008 at 8:56 am
Wow. That was so gross, but it captured my attention and I kept on looking.
On September 14, 2008 at 10:55 am
thats really interesting
On September 16, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Insects will rule the world.
On September 17, 2008 at 8:50 am
Quotes are excellent! It gives at least some perspective.
On September 18, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I like the way you put together the quotations and pictures. Well done.
On September 18, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Very squeamish indeed, but couldn’t resist going through the entire piece. Wonderfully written, and photos and quotes were a huge plus… Stay well.
On September 18, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Insects are so “alien” looking. Soon they will take over us humans…like this http://www.headstonecity.com/cicada.html
On September 19, 2008 at 5:14 am
they’ve said it all,awesome
On September 20, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Great article, and amazing photos! Brilliant quality, so beautiful and gruesome at the same time!
On September 20, 2008 at 7:22 pm
wow that is truly amazing and superlative knowledge the must come from a refuting source of miscellaneous discoveries!
On October 7, 2008 at 1:59 am
another great article. love it!
On November 13, 2008 at 11:27 am
beautiful
On December 21, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Censoring Copernicus didn’t stop the Sun being the centre of the solar system; it only made the people who censored him look ignorant and foolish for the rest of history. Why censor a poster who is trying to save the author of this page from the same fate?
On February 8, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Yes, ants are eating the frog.
On March 2, 2009 at 10:44 am
Great article.
On April 13, 2009 at 6:50 am
can I open my eyes now? ;0
Great article! Yuk
On April 13, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Awesome article! Well done!!!!!!!!!
On April 13, 2009 at 10:07 pm
I remember when you wrote this. It gave me the willies. Yuck!
On April 13, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Insects war,and pictures amazing.
On April 16, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Wow, you are one sick puppy to post that!
Kidding.
Very good and disgusting article. Made me squirm for sure.
On April 17, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Excellent article.This one must have taken an awful lot of research.Incredible pictures too.I must admit,it made me a little squeemish a couple of times.
On April 18, 2009 at 3:29 am
AWESOME!
On April 18, 2009 at 10:16 pm
WOW! I love this sort of thing. Gross is good.
On May 6, 2009 at 9:21 pm
I havent ever been squeemish of bugs. great pics… well put together.
On July 18, 2009 at 9:27 am
gruesome! Good article.
On July 18, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Fascinating article,fantastic quotes about life and death, It is not sensationalism is entertaining narrative. .
On July 18, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Certainly not any way that I would want to go.
On July 20, 2009 at 11:51 am
Awesome!!
On August 13, 2009 at 11:03 pm
…they’ve said it all already…great work
On August 23, 2009 at 10:18 am
Great quotes, I was surprised to read that some people didnt know ladybugs eat aphids, I thought that was common knowledge.
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