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Spodoptera eridania - Southern armyworm. A pest in southern parts of the U.S. mostly Florida. Defoliator of tomatoes and other crops. Not a candidate for the insect Miss Universe contest...or is is? I think close up there is a lot of beauty in this series of life history shots, but that is my personal opinion. Specimens provided by Benzon Research  ~~~~~~~~~~{{{{{{0}}}}}}~~~~~~~~~~  All photographs are public domain, feel free to download and use as you wish.  Photography Information: Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, Stackshot Sled, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash in Styrofoam Cooler, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200   Further in Summer than the Birds Pathetic from the Grass A minor Nation celebrates Its unobtrusive Mass. No Ordinance be seen So gradual the Grace A pensive Custom it becomes Enlarging Loneliness. Antiquest felt at Noon When August burning low Arise this spectral Canticle Repose to typify Remit as yet no Grace No Furrow on the Glow Yet a Druidic Difference Enhances Nature now   -- Emily Dickinson   Want some Useful Links to the Techniques We Use? Well now here you go Citizen:   Basic USGSBIML set up: www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-_yvIsucOY  USGSBIML Photoshopping Technique: Note that we now have added using the burn tool at 50% opacity set to shadows to clean up the halos that bleed into the black background from "hot" color sections of the picture. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdmx_8zqvN4  PDF of Basic USGSBIML Photography Set Up:  ftp://ftpext.usgs.gov/pub/er/md/laurel/Droege/How%20to%20Take%20MacroPhotographs%20of%20Insects%20BIML%20Lab2.pdf  Google Hangout Demonstration of Techniques: plus.google.com/events/c5569losvskrv2nu606ltof8odo or  www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c15neFttoU  Excellent Technical Form on Stacking: www.photomacrography.net/  Contact information:  Sam Droege  sdroege@usgs.gov 301 497 5840