Centipede and Bee ID

Rgregory · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 04:53 PM

Hello. Im new here as you can probably tell from my abysmal camera skills, just wanted to see if you could ID these.

dmclean2 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 05:01 PM

Hi RGregory,
A warm welcome to WAB, the pic of your Centipede isn't exactly great,
But don't stop trying , sorry I can't help with the ID but someone will be able to help. Keep posting,
Duncan

Rgregory · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 05:06 PM

I think its my Camera actually, takes good enough landscape photos, but no good with little creepy crawlies, just keeps blurring out when zooming in. But what can I say...

Pudding4brains · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 06:08 PM

Hi Rgregory, and welcome from me too

The Centipede is of genus Lithobius, but you probably knew that already. Some 20+ species in Britain, and most are hard to ID from photo even for experts (which I'm not) ... counting little thorns on the last tail-like hind legs etc. If someone shows up who's more into it, I'm pretty sure (s)he would also appreciate a size estimate.

What camera do you own? Mine is pretty much "toy quality" but with the right settings it doesn't do too bad for *cough* "macros" *cough* - so maybe we can help with suggestions for the settings?

Cheers, Arp

Rgregory · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 06:32 PM

I have a Samsung Digimax 420, as i said before, its taken some excellent photos of scenery. But cant seem to get it right with insects.

And I think I have found the species from the Lithobius genus, Lithobius forficatus.

CloudedYellow · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 06:48 PM

This is not really the right forum to discuss camera technique but I wonder if your Digimax has a macro mode (or even super-marcro)? That might enable it to focus close up.

Richard

Pudding4brains · #7 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rgregory

I have a Samsung Digimax 420

It has a 6cm "macro" function, usually indicated in the menu/dial/whatever with a "tulip" symbol. Read the manual, figure out how to activate it and then don't come closer to the object at hand than 6cm (2 inches might still work too) and the cam should be able to focus okay.

Quote:

And I think I have found the species from the Lithobius genus, Lithobius forficatus.

What makes you sure it's not one of the other 20+ quite similar looking species? What character do you go by? How big/long was your animal anyway?

Rgregory · #8 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 07:11 AM

I think it was about 2cm. And yes, I used the macro with better results

Pudding4brains · #9 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 01:27 PM

Hi Rgregory,

Happy to hear you've worked out the macro

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rgregory

I think it was about 2cm.

That would rule out many of the 20+ species, but still leaving some 5 or so options. I've steered clear of Lithobius up to now because I find them too irritatingly agile for photography

and often too hard to ID (needing details not usually visible on "normal" photos), so I can't confirm forficatus for you - mainly due to lack of experience with the other options.

So, yes, it could be forficatus (most characters I can verify from the image seem to fit) and it's even quite probable as it's a very common species. But I'm not about to tell you that it is - will need someone else with more experience with Lithobiomorpha for that - sorry.

Cheers anyway, and good luck and lots of fun with the macros!!