This is an European chafer, the bane of fine upstanding southern lawns throughout the United States. As a child I was fascinated by these beetles and would keep them in shoe boxes with plastic wrap windows.
Despite the nickname “June Bug” the beetles often come out as early April, as was the case with the subject. Life span of the adult (beetle) is short, usually lasting a couple of weeks. It’s a nocturnal insect and often morning light reveals my back patio littered with carcasses from spring through early fall. This is one such carcass.
For photography purposes the colors are rather bland but the insect is rich with textures and details, which make them interesting for me to photograph. First tabletop insect stack I ever did was of a June Bug so this is also a good comparison photo to see how much my technique has progressed over the years.
Image specs: Sixty Image Stack on Tabletop Rig - MP-E 65mm @3.5:1 - f/4 - SS 1/40 - ISO100 - Flash at 1/8 power with DIY triangular diffuser. Stacked in Zerene with cleanup in Photoshop.
Despite the nickname “June Bug” the beetles often come out as early April, as was the case with the subject. Life span of the adult (beetle) is short, usually lasting a couple of weeks. It’s a nocturnal insect and often morning light reveals my back patio littered with carcasses from spring through early fall. This is one such carcass.
For photography purposes the colors are rather bland but the insect is rich with textures and details, which make them interesting for me to photograph. First tabletop insect stack I ever did was of a June Bug so this is also a good comparison photo to see how much my technique has progressed over the years.
Image specs: Sixty Image Stack on Tabletop Rig - MP-E 65mm @3.5:1 - f/4 - SS 1/40 - ISO100 - Flash at 1/8 power with DIY triangular diffuser. Stacked in Zerene with cleanup in Photoshop.
Last edited:
