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A BUG’S LIFE

Extreme close-ups of the world’s creepiest crawlies taken by photographer who’s SCARED of insects

THESE extreme close-ups of the world’s creepiest crawlies are taken by a photographer who’s scared of the very thing he has behind the lens.

Award-winning macro photographer Mofeed Abu Shalwa has travelled the globe taking photos of some of the world's smallest living creatures, some threatened to extinction and others invisible to the naked eye.

The striking emerald, bronze and gold colours of this Phaedimus zebuanus beetle can be seen in forests throughout the Philippines
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The striking emerald, bronze and gold colours of this Phaedimus zebuanus beetle can be seen in forests throughout the PhilippinesCredit: Cover Images
The Green Stag Beetle rears it's tiny antlers towards the lens
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The Green Stag Beetle rears it's tiny antlers towards the lensCredit: Cover Images
With the amount of eyes on this Wolf Spider, it's not hard to understand why they are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight
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With the amount of eyes on this Wolf Spider, it's not hard to understand why they are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesightCredit: Cover Images
The enlarged, curving mandible on this Prosopocoilus Astacoide is sometimes used in combat with male opponents during fights to establish dominance
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The enlarged, curving mandible on this Prosopocoilus Astacoide is sometimes used in combat with male opponents during fights to establish dominanceCredit: Cover Images
The stunning and fast-flying Copper Flower Beetle feeds on pollen, nectar, and flowers, especially roses
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The stunning and fast-flying Copper Flower Beetle feeds on pollen, nectar, and flowers, especially rosesCredit: Cover Images
Macro photographer Mofeed Abu Shalwa trekked through jungles and forests to take the snaps
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Macro photographer Mofeed Abu Shalwa trekked through jungles and forests to take the snapsCredit: Cover Images

The intrepid photographer and scientific researcher spoke of his early childhood fears which paradoxically fuelled a career behind the lens.

He explained: “What drove me to this field is back to a story about my childhood."

The now 35-year-old from Saudi Arabia, confessed he had an overwhelming phobia of insects, otherwise known as entomophobia.

"I used to suffer from insect phobia," he said.

"This fear grew stronger as my classmates in school used to bring insects with them - and knowing that I’m fearful of insects - they used to throw them on me as a joke."

Although his fear "grew stronger over the years", the experience brought him to the world of wildlife photography.

He explained: "Choosing the world of photography was to be able to break the childhood fear that grew in me since childhood from insects and getting close to them."

The large red and purple eyes of a dragonfly peer towards the lens
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The large red and purple eyes of a dragonfly peer towards the lensCredit: Cover Images
These striking greens eyes belong to the Damselfly
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These striking greens eyes belong to the DamselflyCredit: Cover Images
A Hoverfly can be seen as it briefly pauses in a forest
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A Hoverfly can be seen as it briefly pauses in a forestCredit: Cover Images
A Dicranocephalus Wallichi is also known as the reindeer beetle due to its red horns that resemble reindeer antlers
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A Dicranocephalus Wallichi is also known as the reindeer beetle due to its red horns that resemble reindeer antlersCredit: Cover Images
The Eupholus Weevil feeds on leaves which contain chemicals which are toxic to other animals
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The Eupholus Weevil feeds on leaves which contain chemicals which are toxic to other animalsCredit: Cover Images
The Yellow Butterfly moth almost makes the pesky creature look more enticing
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The Yellow Butterfly moth almost makes the pesky creature look more enticingCredit: Cover Images
A Red palm weevil exhibits a beautiful rusty red colour
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A Red palm weevil exhibits a beautiful rusty red colourCredit: Cover Images
Native to south east Asia, this jumping spider stares ominously towards the camera
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Native to south east Asia, this jumping spider stares ominously towards the cameraCredit: Cover Images

Mofeed takes pride in his work, which he describes as being able to "send a message through my photos to see this beauty and tiny details that can only be seen using my camera lens".

He added: "Many nature photographers I met throughout my career have tried it but didn’t succeed.”

The photographer uses a focus-stacking technology to get sufficient depth of field in order to capture the tiny creatures.

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Earlier this year, wildlife photographers in India gathered round to photograph one of the world’s most venomous snakes, barely visible amongst the leaves and sand on the ground.

And a stunning series of snaps from the British Wildlife Photography Awards shortlist reveals the natural beauty of the UK.

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