Image source, Luke Chambers
Sleeping cuckoos, by Yorkshire-based Luke Chambers, has won this year’s Royal Entomological Society Insect Week photography competition.
Chambers’ photo shows two cuckoo bees resting on a blade of grass.
“Finding any sleeping invertebrate is always brilliant – but two so close together, well that’s like winning the photography lottery,” he said.
Tim Jonas’s picture of caddis-fly larvae came second.
Head judge, broadcaster, photographer and Falmouth University senior lecturer Dr Tim Cockerill said: “Insects are the most diverse group of animals on the planet yet we know so little about most of them.
“Photography like this provides a window into the astonishing complexity and beauty of the insect world.
“At a time when insects face huge threats, I hope this collection of stunning images helps to showcase just how important – and beautiful – they really are.”
Image source, Gustav Parenmark
Swedish photographer Gustav Parenmark, 17, won the under-18 category, with this picture of a banded demoiselle damselfly at rest.
“Waking up early is the key to photographing sleeping odonates,” he said.
“This species of damselfly is usually very skittish – but I went out at 04:00 to capture them inactive, making them easier to photograph.”
Image source, Jamie Smart
Jamie Smart’s picture of a robber fly came second.
“I was up early one morning and decided to have a wander around our wild garden with my camera, when I saw this fly on grass,” the eight-year-old said.
“I didn’t realise until looking on the computer that he was actually eating another fly.”
Abi Batten gave her specially commended picture – taken using a smartphone – the title “A wasp joined us for tea”.
Image source, Nikita Richardson
Nikita Richardson’s Nature’s Jewels, of cotton harlequin bugs, was specially commended in the behaviour category.
Image source, Thomas Roberts
An Orange-tip butterfly, by Thomas Roberts, caught the judges’ attention in the environment category.
Image source, Leela Channer
Leela Channer’s picture of a Glanville fritillary butterfly was also commended.
Image source, Panagiotis Dalagiorgos
Panagiotis Dalagiorgos’s photograph of a European mantis was commended in the portrait category.
Image source, Robin Backhouse
Robin Backhouse photographed this brightly coloured Picasso bug.
Image source, Pete Burford
Pete Burford’s picture is titled Look into my Eyes.
All photographs courtesy Royal Entomological Society.
Emily Foster is a globe-trotting journalist based in the UK. Her articles offer readers a global perspective on international events, exploring complex geopolitical issues and providing a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
