As an avid spider identifier I wondered if anyone had any personal “insider” tips that they preferred for below questions or anything else you might want to add for out smaller species which I primarily identify but infrequently observe. (So, I could identify what I find but first I need to find and photograph it, any tips for that?)
Here are some questions I had: (please add whatever you would like towards the topic and ask your own questions)
What is the best microscope for identifying spiders and other small animals that need microscopy to be identified? (and getting photographs of the features)
What is the best setup/way to look for species hidden in leaf-litter?
Best general camera set-up for macro photography?
Best ways to preserve and keep a collection of soft-bodied insects?
Tips for finding spiders in the wild?
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Macro photography has been discussed in multiple threads which you might find helpful:
Tips for macro photography
Secrets to good macro photography
Photo stacking for macro photography
and many others!
(You may also want to peruse this Project.)
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In the Amazon there are several species of small-bodied lizards and frogs that hide in leaf litter. By small bodied I mean 1-2 cm in length, which is tiny for vertebrates. So while this is not meant to apply to spiders necessarily, it could work as well.
Grab a large handful of leaf litter and place the whole mess into a large zip-lock (clear plastic) bag. Then remove one leaf at a time making sure that your target species is not clinging to the leaf. Eventually all or nearly all the leaves will be removed and the target species will be all that is left in the bag.
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Spider Enthusiast and ameteur photographer here. If you’re not ready to spend a ton of money I would highly recommend buying a macro lens secondhand. I got mine for around 20% of retail price and basically in perfect condition. Probably not a great option if you want anything super fancy, but I wasn’t aware of all of the secondhand options when I started looking for a macro lens and I probably saved like $800.
As for finding spiders, the best advice I can give is just to pay close attention to your surroundings and looking all the little details around you. For spiders in the leaf litter, tread carefully and make sure to keep your balance when you’re inevitably crouching in some awkward position to get the best angle. Spiders are super easily scared and you don’t want to frighten one by accident and lose your subject! Except for jumping spiders, they’re pretty chill.
Granted, a lot will depend on where you live. Some of it is just about getting out their and becoming more familiar with your local wildlife. Good luck!
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I currently use a Canon Rebel T7. I know the user @huttonia uses that camera and takes phenomenal photos. I’m not really experienced with diffusers and flash as before I used natural light for maco photography (dragonflies, bees, and other species where this isn’t a problem) and then I used my 600mm zoom lens for other situations. What flash and diffusers would be recommend and how much should I expect to spend? (also, thanks for the link(s) I’ll check it out.)
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I’m currently in NE Florida.
I’ve gotten most of higher quality bird photography lenses that way. It surely is helpful! Is getting a macro lens better than adding lenses on top of a good lens to make it macro? I know people do that, I’m open to both as I have a 50-250mm lens rn that I add a macro attachment to, but it isn’t great quality and I’d love to upgrade. What do you prefer?
I found a remarkable amount of small spiders in leaves using a wire mesh to sift them out from dead leaves. I used the setup described in this AntsLab Youtube video: https://youtu.be/HL5tLTkxuOI?t=47 (starting around 47 seconds). It was amazing that every sift I was getting 2-4 spiders, they are really hiding in the dead leaves everywhere!
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Wow! I will definitely try that. How did you make the mesh/screen at the bottom of the container?
My current camera setup is a Canon R10 (although I used to use the Canon Rebel T3i with the same equipment so..) with the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L macro lens and a EF to RF adapter (Adapter not necessary for rebel series cameras). It’s a handy little lens for macro, but if you want to go really, really close, I’ve seen some good reviews for the Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Lens (I plan on getting one at some point too). I do highly recommend a flash of some sort for macro, I myself use the Meike ring flash, but a speedlite and diffuser is also a really great way to go (I plan on switching to speedlite and diffuser soon). I’ve seen good reviews for the Meike and Godox speedlites and the Cygnustech and AK diffusers.
Some photos with my current setup
A good way to find small beetles that nobody really taps into is flipping over mushrooms. From shelf fungi to cap-and-stem, you can find Erotyidae, Tetratomidae, Mycetophagidae, etc.
When I look in leaf litter, I usually pick up a wad of leaves or sweep a patch to the side and look under them, then replacing the leaves when I’m done. I’ve had some luck, but I feel like the method @petezani mentioned may be a little better.
For soft-bodied insects, I find pill containers to be really good for storing the insects in alcohol. I just use typical isopropyl rubbing alcohol from the store. I then store them in a little tray in my fridge.
I don’t have many tips for spiders since I mainly do beetles, but I know small crevices are always good!
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Awesome! Thanks so much for the setup. Is the lens you were talking about
this one?
Do you think it is nessicary to store them in a fridge? Most people I’ve talked to store them in a organized drawers. Also, do you have a link to buy the bottles in bulk? That would be awesome. @JeremyHussell I think I remember you talking about the pros and cons of storing in glass vs. plastic containers. Did you have a preference?
No, I have the L version which is like 6x the price https://www.amazon.com/Canon-100mm-Macro-Digital-Cameras/dp/B002NEGTSI
I got mine used and discounted for only $400 though. The one you linked would probably work pretty well too, and the Sigma 105mm macro also works pretty well (I used to have one, but got some really rare random fluke and the lens broke).
For the soft-bodied insects - I don’t think it’s necessary to store them in a fridge, I think most museums just have regular shelves to keep them. Here’s the little containers: https://www.amazon.com/Prescription-Reversible-Resistant-Container-Medication/dp/B0CC52FN3Q?th=1 I have friends give me their containers after they’ve had all their pills, so I have way too many now.
I’m not super well versed in the mechanics-type stuff, so I’m frankly not super sure. As for looking for spiders, it’ll definitely be a bit different for you. Where I live its gets really dry and then pours for a few days, so I always try to look a couple days after rain to catch spiders rebuilding/out to hunt. Often places will have a “spider season” in spring or fall when baby spiders come out or certain species have mating season.
That’s interesting, I wonder when the “peak-season” would be here…
Its fairly rainy on and off, so I guess I could check after the rains.
Hypothetically, couldn’t I just rent a camera lens whenever I go on a trip? Buying one would be great, but since they cost quite a lot (damm you, currency conversion) I thought renting one would be better.
Lol, those little guys are as friendly as can be. So far every single on I’ve encountered has let me get close enough to photograph them.