An insect on the edge of a leaf is a perfect candidate for a macro shot and when I saw this one from a distance in my neighbor’s garden, I got to work without a clue about its identity.
When I looked at the photos initially, I thought I had captured images of a Red Milkweed Beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus), because of its bright red body and curved, segmented antennae. (I have a self-identified obsession with this insect that I discussed in a blog posting last year.) However, there were a few problems with that identification. This beetle seemed smaller; it was on a plant that was definitely not a milkweed plant; and it seemed too early to be seeing a milkweed beetle. My identification was further complicated by the fact that I never did see the back of the beetle.
So what insect did I photograph? I have been going over photos at bugguide.net, one of my favorite sources and wonder if this might be a Lily Leaf Beetle (Lilioceris lilii). Tentatively, though I like the name that I invented for this post, Red Spring Beetle.
I may not be sure about the identification of this insect, but I know that I like the photos that I managed to get, especially the first one. I captured a pretty good amount of detail and I like the way that he posed, looking directly at me.
Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
Excellent macros! I’m not sure if this is one but the lily beetles do come out quite early in spring, and they can do a LOT of damage in the garden.
Nice shots. It’s turning into a bug’s life over here.
Love that first shot, Mike. I think you’re right–it looks like you two were having quite a time scrutinizing each other!
Thanks, Gary. The first one is my favorite too. These kind of photos remind me how much I enjoy shooting macro images. The challenges are similar, but different from the ones that I face when photographing subjects at a distance, like birds. In both cases, it’s nice when I can manage to capture the subject in an interesting pose.
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