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Post by panacanthus on Sept 23, 2021 22:20:12 GMT -8
A few of my favorites in the Dynastinae group. First photo shows the "mini Megasomas" (all in male/female pairs). Sizes listed are for males only. From left to right: Top: Megasoma joergenseni 46mm Megasoma thersites 44mm Megasoma vogti 42mm Megasoma cedrosa 34mm Bottom: Megasoma pachecoi 52mm Megasoma punctulatus 36mm Megasoma sleeperi 32mm Megasoma lecontei 31mm  Antodon goryi male 32mm  Strategus centaurus with very large male at 78mm.  Megasoma janus ramirezorum with a very large male at 113mm. It is similar to M. actaeon in some ways but different in others. This species does not have as long a horn as actaeon and therefore a 113mm specimen will actually have more body mass than a 120mm actaeon. It is also typically even more broad than an actaeon of the same body length (measured without horns). This species is extremely glossy, unlike actaeon which is satin.  Megasoma nogueirai large male at 108mm. Very clean specimen. Also have the female but didn't photograph her.  And lastly Megasoma actaeon 122mm. Yes, very common, but you've just gotta love any beetle with a 9 1/4 inch wingspan!  |
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Post by exoticimports on Sept 24, 2021 2:40:29 GMT -8
Wonderful photos!
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Post by Paul K on Sept 24, 2021 5:46:22 GMT -8
spectacular beetles! very good quality photos, thanks for sharing.
I noticed that you pin specimens thru behind thorax not right elytra. I actually did that too in the beginning and switched to traditional method later.
Is there actual rule which applies to pinning Coleoptera or is it up to collector.
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Post by panacanthus on Sept 24, 2021 7:27:42 GMT -8
spectacular beetles! very good quality photos, thanks for sharing. I noticed that you pin specimens thru behind thorax not right elytra. I actually did that too in the beginning and switched to traditional method later. Is there actual rule which applies to pinning Coleoptera or is it up to collector. This was a very difficult decision for me in the beginning! Pinning through the right elytra is definitely considered the scientific standard. I eventually decided to pin in the way I preferred which was in the most inconspicuous and balanced way possible. I can’t stand to see a pin through the elytra especially with the more beautiful groups such as Chrysinas or Buprestids. I have 3 cases of flawless Mecynorrhina and if I were to remove the pins you would have a difficult time even seeing that they had been pinned. This is only personal preference of course, and I am ONLY speaking for my own specimens. I most definitely do not look down upon a collection which is pinned scientifically. Another thing I will do is use much finer pins at times. The standard is #3. Pinning where I do can also be tricky. If the pin is not perfectly straight it could end up through a very difficult area underneath. I don’t mind having to be extra careful though. Another thing which a highly scientific minded collector would frown upon is that many of my beetles end up in fairly elaborate wall displays. For these especially, I want the pin or pin hole to be as inconspicuous as possible. Anyways, I don’t feel that I’m answering very well! Bottom line is that for me, my own aesthetic preferences won over scientific standard! Some would surely argue that my method doesn’t look good or should not be practiced! |
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 24, 2021 8:24:22 GMT -8
Those are some spectacular photos !
The lighting, colors, and details are astounding to me...
I'm actually feeling embarrassed by the Android phone photos that I post.
Also, your preparation style on these megasomas is enviable and I almost want to go back and rework my own megasomas after looking at your pictures !!
Really great stuff. Keep the great pictures coming whenever you feel the urge to show us something else from your spectacular beetle collection.
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 24, 2021 8:26:34 GMT -8
Maybe some Dynastes pictures for your next round of photos ?
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Post by panacanthus on Sept 24, 2021 8:51:10 GMT -8
Those are some spectacular photos ! The lighting, colors, and details are astounding to me... I'm actually feeling embarrassed by the Android phone photos that I post. Also, your preparation style on these megasomas is enviable and I almost want to go back and rework my own megasomas after looking at your pictures !! Really great stuff. Keep the great pictures coming whenever you feel the urge to show us something else from your spectacular beetle collection. Thank you!! That means a great deal. I really appreciate the comments. I must admit, however, that I’m not using any special equipment. I know very little about photography. I set the insect drawer on my kitchen counter because the lights are pretty bright there and I’m just using my iPhone 11pro to take the photos! Regarding the Dynastes request, I’ll see what I can do! |
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Post by exoticimports on Sept 24, 2021 10:06:31 GMT -8
What would be helpful is a measurement tape next to them to see approximate size. Tkx!
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Post by panacanthus on Sept 24, 2021 10:37:06 GMT -8
What would be helpful is a measurement tape next to them to see approximate size. Tkx! Most photos were taken with the specimens left in the drawers and had many others right close by so that is a bit difficult and risky but in the future I will try and add sizes by all the names, since I can still manage to measure them with calipers without taking the specimens out. |
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Post by Paul K on Sept 24, 2021 11:10:28 GMT -8
I agree that your pinning style looks much better than pinning thru elytra. That’s why I started that way, for scientific reasons I changed that but I’m not really convinced if that was a right decision. Anyway I’m not Coleopterist just have reference collection of species that I collected here and then.
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Post by panacanthus on Sept 24, 2021 18:05:05 GMT -8
What would be helpful is a measurement tape next to them to see approximate size. Tkx! I've added the sizes for those that were missing them! |
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Post by freedom on Sept 25, 2021 1:57:54 GMT -8
Photos that look very comfortable, so beautiful. Specimen making is also very exquisite!
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Post by trehopr1 on Oct 1, 2021 23:57:02 GMT -8
Flying Dynastes make excellent wall mounts... Of coarse, full data is noted on the back !  |
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Post by panacanthus on Oct 2, 2021 3:32:08 GMT -8
Flying Dynastes make excellent wall mounts... Of coarse, full data is noted on the back ! Indeed they do! I put one in the middle of a display I made for my boss many years ago! Sorry for the very poor photos and reflections. And the Callipogon wasn't greasy or stained as it appears to be in the photo lol! Just some weird shadows going on I guess.   |
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Post by Paul K on Oct 2, 2021 7:39:24 GMT -8
Flying Dynastes make excellent wall mounts... Of coarse, full data is noted on the back ! Indeed they do! I put one in the middle of a display I made for my boss many years ago! Sorry for the very poor photos and reflections. And the Callipogon wasn't greasy or stained as it appears to be in the photo lol! Just some weird shadows going on I guess. Wonderful display. I may want to do something like this. |
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