Damsels being naughty.

[inthedeck]

Umm...yeah. You get the drift. :lol:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/2608239968_9575a11230_o.jpg

Would someone fill me in, about the 'details' should you know them? Why do the stingers enter the way they do?

[enon]

I have no idea, but it surely doesn't look pleasant. lol
Awesome shot, btw.

[inthedeck]

Thanks enon. Appreciate the comments.

[DaveBinks]

Those aren't stingers - the males have clamping appendages at the tips of the abdomen to hold the females during the mating process

[inthedeck]

Those aren't stingers - the males have clamping appendages at the tips of the abdomen to hold the females during the mating process
Thanks Dave. Now I know. Haven't really studied the world of insects. Guess it's time to read up.

[DaveBinks]

Good photo though, I like the way that you've managed to get the female with the tip of her abdomen round under the male for fertilisation to take place :)

[inthedeck]

Thanks Dave. appreciate the comments, and the information.

[alliec]

Lovley capture, yet to capture this.

[LordV]

Wonderful capture- lovely colours.
Brian V.

[inthedeck]

Thanks Alistair and Brian. No comparison to what you guys are capable of, but, I appreciate the comments. Thanks again.

[SwingBopper]

Whoa! I thought the female was on the left! So SHE is holding HIM down while HE fertilizes her in some kind of contortionist position. Amazing! Excuse my ignorance.
But a lovely composition and capture.

[inthedeck]

Thanks swingbopper...appreciate the comments. Even with a FF cam., it was a challenge to get them both whole, in the frame, without clipping the wings, etc. This wasn't too cropped, maybe a cm off each side. And in windy conditions, and my shaky hands, I'm glad I was able to 'see' it, let alone capture it.

[DaveBinks]

Whoa! I thought the female was on the left! So SHE is holding HIM down while HE fertilizes her in some kind of contortionist position. Amazing! Excuse my ignorance.
But a lovely composition and capture.

You've got the positions slightly wrong - HE is on the left, holding HER just behind the head with a pair of clampers on the tip of his abdomen - HER abdomen tip is curled up under HIM to be fertilised.:)