Photo Competition Shines a Light on the Secret World of Insects

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Close-up image of a robber fly showing its large, detailed red compound eyes and slender body against a light green background. The photo highlights the insect's intricate facial features and fine hairs.

The Royal Entomological Society (RES) has announced the winners of its 2024 Photography Competition, unveiling an amazing selection of up-close images of fascinating insects.

The annual competition, organized by the UK’s leading insect science charity, celebrates the skill and creativity of amateur photographers, showcasing the diversity of insect life across the world. The competition received almost a thousand entries from keen photographers from 44 countries.

The overall winner in the 18 and over category is Benjamin Salb for his macro image of a gnat ogre, a species of robber fly. This tiny robber fly in the genus Holcocephala is found throughout the eastern United States. They have characteristic wide-set eyes and get their name because their diet consists almost entirely of gnats. Salb, from the United States, became interested in macro photography at the start of the pandemic.

“I love photographing gnat ogres because they’re such a challenge. They’re ridiculously small and very flighty. This is my most successful attempt so far, and I am very pleased with how the detailed eyes came out,” he says.

Close-up of a winged aphid on a beige surface. The insect has translucent wings, long antennae, and a segmented body. Its legs are thin and elongated, and it's perched on a small brown disk. The background is blurred.

The Under 18 category overall winner is 17-year-old German photographer Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas for his image of a large female jagged ambush bug (Phymata americana) waiting for prey on a flower head.

“While visiting family in Canada, one of my main target species was the jagged ambush bug. I found this one in an urban park in Montreal and was able to get a focus stack of it isolated against a black background,” says Tinker-Tasvalas.

Specially Commended

Close-up of an antlion larva partially buried in sand. The larva has a segmented body and prominent pincers, blending with the surrounding grains of various colors, including white, brown, and tan.

A close-up image of an iridescent purple and blue beetle clinging to a thin beige twig against a soft purple background. The beetle's legs and antennae are visible, showcasing a vivid metallic sheen.

Close-up of a brown predatory water insect with a sleek body and visible antennae, holding and feeding on a smaller brown insect with delicate wings. The scene is set against a blurred natural background.

Close-up of a tiger beetle's head, showing iridescent green and bronze coloring, with prominent dark eyes, and spiky hairs around its mandibles. The beetle is partially submerged in dark, moist soil.

Insect Behavior

An ant is hanging upside down on a green, delicate plant stem with heart-shaped seed pods, set against a blurred natural background.

A close-up of an orange beetle with open wings perched on a green blade of grass against a blurred green background. The beetle's antennae are extended, and its detailed body and legs are clearly visible.

A dark-colored ant with a long, curved, brown stalk protruding from its body, topped with a small red sphere, stands on a green leaf against a black background.

Close-up of a dragonfly with vibrant yellow and black markings emerging from its exoskeleton on a twig. The background is softly blurred with shades of green and pink.

Close-up of a robber fly holding prey in its mouth. The fly's large compound eyes and spiny legs are prominent. The prey is a smaller insect, and both are positioned on a rough surface. The background is blurred.

Close-up of bubbles clustered on a green leaf, partially obscuring an insect underneath. The bubbles are clear and reflect light, creating a shiny texture against the smooth surface of the leaf.

Close-up of red ants swarming over a dead insect with large eyes, possibly a fly. The ants are gathered around the insect, showcasing their communal effort. The ground is rocky, with scattered twigs and debris.

A large white moth with intricate wing patterns rests on a textured branch. Next to it lies a cluster of small, round eggs. The background is a dark, blurred wood grain, highlighting the moth and eggs.

Insect Portraits

Close-up of a pinkish, translucent insect perched on a plant. It has large, brown eyes and intricately shaped antennae. The plant features green leaves with purple accents. The background is dark, highlighting the insect's details.

Close-up of a moth's face showing intricate details. The moth has large, dark, compound eyes, a fuzzy white and yellow head, and a segmented proboscis. Its orange and yellow feathery scales contrast with the black background.

Close-up of a blue-green insect with prominent antennae and textured surface. The body has intricate patterns and detailed features, set against a dark, blurred background. The image emphasizes the insect's vivid coloration and unique structure.

Close-up of a cricket with detailed features, including large eyes and long antennae, perched on a piece of wood. The background is softly blurred in shades of green and yellow, highlighting the insect's texture and structure.

Close-up of a red and black insect with large, compound eyes and segmented antennae, holding a small piece of wood. The background is a soft yellow, highlighting the intricate details and texture of the insect's head and body.

A close-up of a green shield bug with a triangular-shaped back, sitting on a dark twig against a black background. The bug's detailed texture, eyes, and antennae are clearly visible.

Close-up of a bee emerging from a round hole in wood. The bee has large black eyes, yellow and black markings, and appears to be looking directly at the camera. The wood surface is light and smooth.

Extreme close-up of a beetle's face, showing its textured black head and detailed mandibles. Tiny grains are visible on the mandibles, and fine hairs surround its mouthparts. The image captures the intricate details of the beetle's features.

Close-up of a blue damselfly facing forward. The image highlights its large, iridescent green eyes and detailed facial features. The insect's legs are visible, gripping a small twig. The background is out of focus in a dark hue.

Smartphone

A close-up shot of a small black insect perched on a brown, fuzzy seed pod, with delicate white strands extending outward. The background is softly blurred, creating a peaceful and natural atmosphere.

Close-up of a vibrant green algae-like surface with numerous round, clustered formations. A small black insect is seen resting in the middle, amidst a web of slender, wavy threads connecting the clusters.

A black and white butterfly with intricate patterns on its wings perches delicately on the tip of a green leaf. The background is a soft blend of blue, green, and yellow hues, creating a serene setting.

A metallic green bee is perched inside a white flower with a yellow center. Its iridescent body contrasts with the delicate petals. The background is a soft focus of green, highlighting the bee and flower.

Matt Doogue, one of the competition judges and professional macro photographer comments: “We had the privilege of reviewing nearly a thousand submissions from photographers around the world, so deciding on the winning entries was never going to be an easy task. It’s inspiring to see so many people capturing these extraordinary and intricate glimpses of insects and celebrating their beauty and diversity. 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.”

Insects in Their Environment

Close-up of a reddish-brown weevil with long curved snout perched on a green leaf with visible bite marks. The insect's details are sharply focused against a blurred background.

Silhouette of a praying mantis on a rock with a blurred sunset in the background, creating a warm and tranquil atmosphere. The light reflects softly on the water, accentuating the mantis's distinct shape.

Close-up of a banded longhorn beetle on tree bark with bright yellow lichen. The beetle features distinct black and white stripes. The background shows a sunrise over distant hills, casting a warm glow.

Close-up of a blue-eyed damselfly perched on a white flower petal. The background is dark, while the damselfly's wings are blurred, creating a golden, shimmering effect. The focus is on the insect's vibrant blue eyes.

Close-up shot of a bee's face, covered in droplets, surrounded by blurred yellow petals. The focus is on the bee's textured fur, antennae, and compound eyes, creating a vibrant and detailed scene.

A camouflaged stick insect blends seamlessly among dried branches and vegetation, surrounded by soft, muted tones of brown and green. The insect's elongated body mimics the thin stems, making it challenging to spot.

Under 18s

Close-up of a small yellow crab spider on a yellow flower bud. The spider blends with the flower, showcasing its camouflage. The black background highlights the intricate details of the spider and the flower's textures.

Close-up of a black ladybug larva near a cluster of yellow, translucent ladybug pupae with black markings on a green leaf. The scene shows various stages of development on the leaf surface.

The entries to the Over-18s competition were submitted under the categories: insect behaviour, insect portraits, insects in their environment, and images taken on smartphones. The winner and runner-up in both the over-18 and under-18 categories received an OM System camera and a cash prize, sponsored to encourage talent in insect photography.

The 2025 RES Photography Competition is now open for entries, inviting all amateur photographers to submit their favorite images of insects To find out more and view the full gallery of winning images, visit the website.

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