Like to Photograph and Share Images of Bugs?

If you like to photograph and share images of bugs, this is for you.

Submissions are open for the 64th Annual International Insect Salon, hosted by the Peoria Camera Club of Illinois.  It's affiliated with the Entomological Society of America (ESA), which will spotlight the winning photos and many of the accepted entries at its Nov. 13-16 joint meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia with the Entomological Society of Canada and Entomological Society of British Columbia. The theme: "Insects Through Art, Science, and Culture."

The last day to submit your images online is Saturday Oct. 29.  Images may include insects, spiders, and related arthropods, such as barnacles, crabs, lobsters, shrimp, centipedes, and millipedes, says contest coordinator Joe Virbickis of Washington, Ill. Each photographer may submit up to four images.

The 2021 Insect Salon drew a total of 256 images from photographers residing in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, England, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Scotland, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, as well as within the United States. You can see view the 2021 accepted images here.

The "Best of Show" medal went to Marcus Kam of Ipoh, state of Perak, Malaysia for "Bugs Love." Kam also won the medal for the "Best Image by a Non-ESA Member" for his "Sharing."

Other medalists:

  • "Medal, Most Unusual," won by Albertus Nugroho of Jakarta, Indonesia, for "Super Ant In Action."
  • "Medal, Best Story Telling,"  Dre Van Mensel of Tielen, Antwerpen, Belgium for "Fall Over."
  • "Medal, Best by ESA Member," Tom Myers of Lexington, Ky for "Syrphid Fly Feeding." 
  • "Medal, Best by Peoria Camera Club Member," Joe Virbickis of Washington, Ill., for "Monarch Laying Eggs."

Among the two California entries accepted was one by yours truly, Kathy Keatley Garvey. It depicts two passion butterflies, Gulf Fritillaries (Agraulis vanillae), "Keeping Busy." Garvey, a communication specialist with the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology and a member of ESA, quips that it is "insect wedding photography." The other California entry accepted: an image of two bees, titled "Bee 4066" by Nan Carder of Lancaster, Ca., a retired registered nurse and active in the Photographic Society of America.

ESA, founded in 1889 and headquartered in Annapolis, Md., is the world's largest organization serving the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and others in related disciplines. Its 7000-members pursue occupations in educational institutions, health agencies, private industry, and government.