See into the astonishing world of bugs with these award-winning photos
See into the astonishing world of bugs with these award-winning photos
From a dragonfly saying goodbye to its old skin to the hirsute face of a flower bee, here are some of the best British images from 2024's Royal Entomological Society Photography Competition
The Royal Entomological Society (RES) has revealed the winners of its 2024 photography competition and we've been blown away by the amazing images of British invertebrates.
The amateur photographers have used incredible skill and creativity to showcase the diversity of insect life in new ways.
Competition judge Matt Doogue, commented: “While technology can often distance us from nature, these photographs highlight how it can also bring us closer. With affordable and accessible equipment, and even smartphones now capable of impressive macro photography, it's easier than ever to explore and marvel at the insect world.”
The RES received more than 1,000 entries from 44 countries, so it was an incredible feat for Benjamin Salb to win over-18s runner-up for his image of a sycamore aphid that had been attacked by a parasitoid braconid wasp.
See more of the winning images from UK entrants below. Find the complete gallery of winners on the RES website.
RES Photography Competition 2024 – Best British winning images
Aphid Mummy With Braconid Wasp Cocoon by Rupert Lees – this sycamore aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis) has been attacked by a parasitoid braconid wasp (Dyscritulus planiceps). Having emerged from the aphid, the wasp larva has constructed a disc-like cocoon beneath the ‘mummified’ body of the aphid | Over-18 overall runner up | Credit: Rupert LeesReluctant To Leave by Luke Chambers – a black darter dragonfly (Sympetrum danae), resting after emerging from its old skin | Highly commended – Behaviour | Credit: Luke Chambers
Highly Commended – Portraits
Sandy Beetle by Ben James – a dor beetle (Geotrupidae) in the sand dunes of Dorset | Highly commended – Portraits | Credit: Ben JamesPut On A Happy Face by Matthew Thomas – a male Crabronid wasp (Ectemnius lituratus) emerging in the morning sun, UK | Highly commended – Portraits | Credit: Matthew Thomas
Highly commended – Environment
Acorn Weevil by Matthew Thomas – an acorn weevil (Curculio glandium) on an oak leaf | Highly commended – Environment | Credit: Matthew ThomasDamsel at Dawn by Lee Frost – an Azure damselfly settling down among the daisies at dawn, with the golden spring sun refracting through it’s wings | Highly commended – Environment | Credit: Lee FrostFlower Bee by Ryan Dale – a tiny flower bee (Anthophora sp) sits on a corn marigold flower | Highly commended – Environment | Credit: Ryan DaleHold On by Tyler Redford – I was searching for spiders when I found this leaf beetle holding onto grass. It clung on as a slight breeze challenged its grip | Over-18 – Specially commended | Credit: Tyler RedfordSea Of Green by Flynn Thaitanunde-Lobb, age 10 – a bluebottle fly perches on a bright greenhedgerow in the front garden | Under 18s – Highly commended | Credit: Flynn Thaitanunde-LobbMilionia Basalis by Anton Poon, age 17 – a pair of Milionia basalis larvae hanging on asilken thread | Under 18s – Specially commended | Credit: Milionia Basalis
