Most people tend to cringe and flee when approached by insects, but self-taught photographer Francesco Bagnato has had a fascination for the creepy-crawlies since he was a child. His younger days on the playground were spent following bugs around and carefully observing their movements, their shapes, and their colors. Despite our perception of insects as bland dull creatures, they come in a myriad of stunning colors, peppered with beautiful gradients, miniature rainbows, and even neon flashes.
Inspired by these ever-evolving beauties in the ground, Bagnato put together a series entitled Entomology, a macro-photography collection of a wide variety of insects against a plain background, which brings out the full range of vibrant colors sported by these creatures. Just take a look at some of these gorgeous photographs from the collection.
1. Polybothris Sumptuosa Gemma (Purple Madagascar Beetle)
2. Cyphogastra Calepyga (Shiny Green Jewel Beetle)
3. Cyrtrotrachelus Buqueti (Giant Bamboo Weevil)
4. Polybothris Sumptuosa (Wood Boring Beetle)
5. Theodosia Rodorigezi (Scarab Beetle)
6. Chrysochroa Fulgens (Metallic Wood Boring Beetle)
7. Megaloxantha Bicolor (Giant Jewel Beetle)
8. Omocerus Casta (Tortoise Beetle)
9. Chrysididae, Chrysis Sp.(Cuckoo Wasp)
10. Diactor Bilineatus (Flag-Footed Bug)
11. Urania Ripheus (Sunset Moth)
12. Pachnoda Tridentata (Flower Beetle)
13. Aprophata Eximia (Dead-nettle Leaf Beetle)
14. Eupholus Schoenherri (Papuan Green Beetle)
15. Creobroter Gemmatus (Jeweled Flower Mantis)
16. Chrysochroa Fulminans Nishiyamai (Jewel Beetle)
17. Sternocera Asie (Giant Jewel Beetle)
18. Stephanorrhina Guttata (Spotted Flower Beetle)
19. Rhomborrhina Resplendens (Dead-Leaf Mantis)
20. Oxysternon Spiniferum (Dung Beetle)
(Source: Francesco Bagnato)
