Bonus Catch, Pt. 3 - _TNY_2928

I was sneaking through the reeds in a lake shooting damselflies when I came upon this pretty little jewel. It's a water-lily reed beetle (Donacia crassipes) and if you ask the water lily on which it is sitting (standing?), then it might not be as appreciated. That's because it is a parasite and eats the water lilies.

 

There is a clear difference between the sexes and this is a male which can be seen both in the colour and in the way the males have two small spikes on each of their thick thighs while females only have one.

 

Part 1 can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/50090038036/

 

Part 2 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/51542554181/

 

and a shot of the female here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/51300419881/

 

Also, a shot of yours truly concentratiing fully on getting the focus right on a beetle on a liliypad to the extent that I couldn't be bothere to not make a face can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/51301177114/

Done