Gil first spotted this caterpillar, then peered closely and saw a ‘small red dot’. He crouched down on a slippery slope and took six exposures with different focus points, using software to combine the images to reveal a stink bug nymph.
The nymph has specialised mouthparts that it uses to syphon off the liquid haemolymph – the insect equivalent of blood – from inside the caterpillar. Unlike most stink bugs, this species feeds on other insects.
Israel / Canada
Gil is a naturalist and photographer with a love for small creatures. He has an MSc in zoology and entomology, specialising in animal behaviour, and aims to dispel concerns and misconceptions around arthropods. He is also a science communicator involved in educational programmes and displays using live arthropods. His work has been featured in many magazines, books, newspapers and broadcast media.
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