Endangered insects captured in vivid photographs

Photographer Levon Biss’ project Extinct and Endangered: Insects in peril combines shots of thousands of insect specimens to create these stunningly sharp images

To Li Gege

We are all aware that our impact on the planet is causing widespread biodiversity loss, from species that have already disappeared to those on the brink. Among these are groups that are more numerous than most other animals, but are often overlooked. it’s an insect. Some of these have been captured here in stunning clarity by photographer Levon Biss (pictured below) as part of his project. Endangered Species: Insects in Endangerment.

Biss has combined shots of thousands of specimens from New York’s American Museum of Natural History to create 40 vivid portraits of endangered and extinct insect species. He uses his photostacking technique to combine images captured through a microscope objective on his custom-built photohis rig (pictured above) to create the final artwork at a very detailed level. Used. The image is now on display in a museum and featured in a book that shares the name of the project.

The image above shows the nine-nine ladybug, whose numbers have mysteriously declined since the 1980s, and the giant Patagonian bumblebee (pictured below).

The only bumblebee native to southern South America has suffered from the introduction of domesticated European bumblebees for crop pollination.

The top image shows the now-extinct Rocky Mountain locust, as well as the Raspa silk moth (main image) and the small moth (bottom photo). Both are endangered.

Bis says the decline in insect populations is alarming. “Insects provide the basis for many ecosystems, and the loss of critical numbers would have immediate and severe consequences.”