2024 Photography Competition Winners – Under 18 years

Jagged Ambush Bug

Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, age 17

A large female Jagged Ambush Bug Phymata americana waiting for prey on a Tansy 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.” – Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas

• True bugs

The Intruder

Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, age 17

Mid-instar Harlequin ladybird larva, Harmonia axyridis, feeding on a colony of large walnut aphid nymphs, Panaphis juglandis.

“While on a photo walk in Germany I noticed that several leaves of a young walnut tree had groups of aphids on them. After searching a few of the leaves, I noticed a small black ladybird feeding on these aphids. Although it was moving slightly I was able to get a small focus stack.” – Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas

• Beetles
• True bugs

Hidden Jewel

Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, age 17

A Cuckoo wasp Holopyga generosa curled up in a Wild carrot flower to hide from the rain.

After an unexpected rain shower during an urban Bioblitz event in Berlin, I spotted one of my favorite insects, a cuckoo wasp, taking refuge in a wild carrot flower. I managed to take a quick focus stack before it started moving again, resulting in a shot I have dreamed of for a long time.

• Ants, bees, wasps and sawflies

Sea of Green

Flynn Thaitanunde-Lobb, age 10

Green bottle fly Lucilia sp. perched on a bright green hedgerow in the front garden in Southampton.

The sun was bright in the morning and I went looking for bees and insects. I spotted a green bottle fly perching on the green shrub with the bright sun shining on it. It was eating another insect so I waited for it to climb to the tip of the leaf before I took the photo.

• True flies

Milionia Basalis

Anton Poon, age 17

A pair of Milionia sp. larvae hanging on a silken thread.

I was in Hong Kong walking around Icon Park when I came across a tree overrun with Milionia sp. larvae which seemingly have just hatched and were making their way to the ground using the threads. I stepped back because of my longer lens and found a pair in a good position.

• Butterflies and moths