Get Off !, this is My Flower !!

Posted by Grahame (Mt Maunganui, New Zealand) on 25 February 2009 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.

We've had a major butterfly outbreak here over the last week, mainly White Butterfly, Peris rapae.
Several times I have seen German Wasps, Vespula germanica fly up to them and give them a definite shove to make them fly off the flower they were feeding on.
Not that they really want that flower they have a quick look and move on.
This wasp after annoying the butterfly followed it to the next flower and then a third !!
Strange behavior, but it did give me an interesting, lucky shot.

Hi folks,
Hope you enjoy the Dreams.
All feedback is enjoyed.
Don't be scared if you think the image is a nightmare, I still want to hear your thoughts about it.
I've just redesigned my website so if your interested in seeing the images I've been taking wander on over for a nosey.
www.grahamenz.com
Enjoy,
Grahame.

vfxy Photoblogs | Listed on Photoblogs.org

Comments (6)

Philip from Joburg, South Africa

I like the title I wonder which will win great capture very unusual !!

25 Feb 2009 8:48am

@Philip: Hi Philip,
They sort of both won, the butterfly got to play with a new flower and the wasp got to be a Pest,something this species specializes at !

k@ from Paris, France

:)) The world is too tiny for us all, and so do the flowers for butterflies and other bugzzzz :) Flashy colors !

25 Feb 2009 9:55am

@k@: Hi k@,
It's a funny catch 22, humans multiply and then take away the natural resources for their houses and "needs".
The bugs lose their homes and have to compete for the food that remains.
They die out.
Multiplying humans need more and more food....
And the main pollinator of our crops is...........................bugzzz in all their many forms.
Oh well enough philosophy for the day.
Enjoy ;)

Marion from Liberty Township, United States

Grahame, that is a truly amazing moment you captured! It is kind of scarry that the wasp kept following the butterfly, who knows what they might do next?

25 Feb 2009 12:40pm

@Marion: Hi Marion,
This species of wasp is a major pain in the a.... in NZ.
In the Beech Forest of the South Island they're well known for joining in your picnic !!
In my area they were unknown a few years ago, now they outnumber the Honey Bee.
;)

Marie-Hélène Ammor from Casablanca/Paris, Morocco

Incredible and so beautiful !! Bravo !

25 Feb 2009 3:23pm

@Marie-Hélène Ammor: Thanks Marie-Hélène.
:)

Marcah from Quincy, United States

Wonderful and many subjects in this beautiful macro....

25 Feb 2009 4:24pm

@Marcah: Hi Marcah,
To be honest I wondered if it was a tad too busy ?
A tighter crop may have worked better for the subject.
:)

Magda from Canada

What an amazing capture this is! Beautiful colours..

18 Mar 2009 4:35am

@Magda: My personal heros are David Attenborough's photographers.
The patience these people must have and the beauty they produce.
One day I may get to produce an image of their quality.....
But in the mean time this will do !
:)

Add your comment ...

next day →