A green background card was placed behind the subject to help with exposure on the tiny subject.
I love photographing gnat ogres because they’re such a challenge, Salb says of the winning photo.
Theyre ridiculously small and very flighty.
“Detailed Gnat Ogre” by Benjamin Salb, Overall Winner.“This is a highly detailed stacked image of a living gnat ogre photographed in the field. A green background card was placed behind the subject to help with exposure on the tiny subject.”
The under 18 division was swept by 17-year-oldAlexis Tinker-Tsavalas.
While technology can often distance us from nature, these photographs highlight how it can also bring us closer.
Scroll down for more incredible winners and highly commended photos.
“Jagged Ambush Bug” by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas (age 17). Overall Winner, Under 18“A large female jagged ambush bug waiting for prey on a tansy flower head.”
Here are the winners of the 2024 Royal Entomological Society Photography Competition.
Jagged Ambush Bug by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas (age 17).
Overall Winner, Under 18A large female jagged ambush bug waiting for prey on a tansy flower head.
“Aphid Mummy with Braconid Wasp Cocoon” by Rupert Lees, Overall Runner-Up“This sycamore aphid has been attacked by a parasitoid braconid wasp. Having emerged from the aphid, the wasp larva has constructed a disc-like cocoon beneath the ‘mummified' body of the aphid.”
Banded Alder Borer by Thomas Barbin.
Highly CommendedA banded alder borer (Rosalia funebris) as the sun sets in the background.
The Intruder by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas (age 17).
“Banded Alder Borer” by Thomas Barbin. Highly Commended“A banded alder borer (Rosalia funebris) as the sun sets in the background.”
Overall Runner-Up, Under 18A ladybird larva feeding on a colony of aphids.
Reluctant to Leave by Luke Chambers.
Highly Commended, Insect BehaviorA darter dragonfly, resting after emerging from its old skin.
“The Intruder” by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas (age 17). Overall Runner-Up, Under 18“A ladybird larva feeding on a colony of aphids.”
Hold On by Tyler Redford.
Specially CommendedViolet leaf beetle (Chrysolina strumi)
Nature’s Winged Wonders by Sritam Kumar Sethy.
Highly CommendedBlue Pierrots butterfly, captured while resting and displaying its dynamic patterned wings dazzling in the sunrays.
“Reluctant to Leave” by Luke Chambers. Highly Commended, Insect Behavior“A darter dragonfly, resting after emerging from its old skin.”
Hidden Jewel by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas (Age 17).
Highly Commended, Under 18A cuckoo wasp curled up in a wild carrot flower to hide from the rain.
The Pollinator by Antaryami Das.
“Hold On” by Tyler Redford. Specially Commended“Violet leaf beetle (Chrysolina strumi)”
Highly CommendedA green metallic sweat bee collecting pollen on a flower.
Milionia Basalis by Anton Poon (Age 17).
Specially Commended, Under 18A pair of Milionia basalis' larvae hanging on a silken thread.
“Nature’s Winged Wonders” by Sritam Kumar Sethy. Highly Commended“Blue Pierrots butterfly, captured while resting and displaying its dynamic patterned wings dazzling in the sunrays.”
Botyodes Moth by Raghuram Annadana.
Highly Commended, PortraitsThis striking Botyodes asialis' moth was spotted in the rainforests of Wayanad, India.
Water Strider by Thomas Barbin.
“Hidden Jewel” by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas (Age 17). Highly Commended, Under 18“A cuckoo wasp curled up in a wild carrot flower to hide from the rain.”
Specially CommendedCommon water strider (Aquarius remigis) with prey.
Sea of Green by Flynn Thaitanunde-Lobb (Age 10).
Highly CommendedA bluebottle fly perches on a bright green hedgerow in the front garden.
“The Pollinator” by Antaryami Das. Highly Commended“A green metallic sweat bee collecting pollen on a flower.”
Western Tiger Beetle Larva by Thomas Barbin.
Specially CommendedWestern tiger beetle larva.
Tiger Moth by Julian Lobo-Guerrero.
“Milionia Basalis” by Anton Poon (Age 17). Specially Commended, Under 18“A pair of ‘Milionia basalis' larvae hanging on a silken thread.”
Highly Commended, Insect BehaviorA female tiger moth laying eggs on a stick.
Electric Blue Longhorn by Douglas Barber.
Highly CommendedPortrait of the mesmerizing blue longhorn beetle Anoplophora zonator'.
“Botyodes Moth” by Raghuram Annadana. Highly Commended, Portraits“This striking ‘Botyodes asialis' moth was spotted in the rainforests of Wayanad, India.”
Deserts Hidden Hunter by Gustav Parenmark.
Related Articles:
“Water Strider” by Thomas Barbin. Specially Commended“Common water strider (Aquarius remigis) with prey.”
“Sea of Green” by Flynn Thaitanunde-Lobb (Age 10). Highly Commended“A bluebottle fly perches on a bright green hedgerow in the front garden.”
“Western Tiger Beetle Larva” by Thomas Barbin. Specially Commended“Western tiger beetle larva.”
“Tiger Moth” by Julian Lobo-Guerrero. Highly Commended, Insect Behavior“A female tiger moth laying eggs on a stick.”
“Electric Blue Longhorn” by Douglas Barber. Highly Commended“Portrait of the mesmerizing blue longhorn beetle ‘Anoplophora zonator'.”
“Deserts Hidden Hunter” by Gustav Parenmark. Specially Commended“Along the north coast of Fårö (Sweden), the antlion larva build their little cone-shaped homes that are death traps for their prey.”
