#dr-congo

[phakearts]

Ant nest beetle by André De Kesel Via Flickr: A very peculiar beetle seriously associated with ants (11mm long, Heteropaussus cf. alternans, subfam. Paussinae, Carabidae). Attracted to our camp lights in the miombo forests of Mikembo (DR Congo, Katanga, Januari 2013, ethanol preserved). Studio work, staged specimen, focus stack based on 129 images, assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap & Pmax), not cropped. Canon 5D mkii, MP-E 65mm at 2.3x, ISO-100, f/6.3, 1/160sec, tracing paper diffused flash.

[phakearts]

Ant nest beetle by André De Kesel Via Flickr: A very peculiar beetle seriously associated with ants (11mm long, Heteropaussus cf. alternans, subfam. Paussinae, Carabidae). Attracted to our camp lights in the miombo forests of Mikembo (DR Congo, Katanga, Januari 2013, ethanol preserved). Studio work, staged specimen, focus stack based on 129 images, assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap & Pmax), not cropped. Canon 5D mkii, MP-E 65mm at 2.3x, ISO-100, f/6.3, 1/160sec, tracing paper diffused flash.

[rwatimes]

DR Congo creates $100mn ‘Mining Guard’ to protect critical minerals

➤ The Democratic Republic of Congo is establishing a $100 million 'Mining Guard' force of up to 20,000 troops to secure critical mineral sites and supply chains. ➤ This initiative, backed by the US and UAE, aims to de-risk commercial assets and attract investment by improving security and governance in the mining sector, which has been affected by conflict. ➤ The new force will replace the existing mining police and is part of a broader strategy to diversify critical mineral sources away from China and ensure greater transparency and traceability in the mining industry.

[axollot]

Curculionid by André De Kesel Via Flickr: Striped greenish weevil (8.5mm, ID: ...; Curculionidae) from the dense mixed forest of Yangambi (DR Congo, November 2013). Studio work with an ethanol preserved specimen, staged on a dried twig. Image based on 116 exposures, assembled in Zerene Stacker, not cropped. Sony A6300 + Metabones adapter + Canon MP-E 65mm at ca. 1.8x, ISO-100, f/4, 1/160s, one diffused flash.