Gallery: Dazzling Photos of Dew-Covered Insects

Miroslaw Swietek insect photography
(Image credit: Miroslaw Swietek insect photography)

The Very Damp Caterpiller

Miroslaw Swietek insect photography

(Image credit: Miroslaw Swietek)

Miroslaw Swietek captures stunning macro images of insects and other creepy-crawlies covered in dew. He takes his photos early in the morning in the forest near his village in Jaroszow, Poland. At that hour, insects and other bugs are still in a state of torpor and aren't disturbed by the camera, Swietek told LiveScience. [Read a Q&A with Swietek]

Diamond-encrusted

Miroslaw Swietek insect photography

(Image credit: Miroslaw Swietek)

An dew-covered insect perches on a plant.

Dragonfly Eye

Miroslaw Swietek insect photography

(Image credit: Miroslaw Swietek)

Droplets of dew magnify the lenses in a dragonfly's compound eye.

Hairy Slumberer

Miroslaw Swietek insect photography

(Image credit: Miroslaw Swietek)

This wispy fellow stayed mostly dry perching on a dew-moistened flower.

Jewel of a Beetle

Miroslaw Swietek insect photography

(Image credit: Miroslaw Swietek)

A beetle's jewel-like hues are enhanced by a smattering of diamond-like droplets.

Dragonfly Crown

Miroslaw Swietek insect photography

(Image credit: Miroslaw Swietek)

This dragonfly appears to be wearing a fairy crown of dew.

Fly at Rest

Miroslaw Swietek insect photography

(Image credit: Miroslaw Swietek)

A decorated fly rests.

Fly's Eye

Miroslaw Swietek insect photography

(Image credit: Miroslaw Swietek)

Droplets decorate a fly's head and red bulbous eyes. [See amazing images of the cutest bugs]

Dragonfly Perch

Miroslaw Swietek insect photography

(Image credit: Miroslaw Swietek)

A dew-covered dragonfly on a dew-covered leaf.

Dry Fly

Miroslaw Swietek insect photography

(Image credit: Miroslaw Swietek)

Not all of Swietek's photos are of dew-covered insects; he captures amazing close-ups of dry bugs as well.

Tiny Bug Face

Miroslaw Swietek insect photography

(Image credit: Miroslaw Swietek)

A photograph by Swietek highlights the strangeness of an insect's head and compound eyes.

Stephanie Pappas
Live Science Contributor

Stephanie Pappas is a contributing writer for Live Science, covering topics ranging from geoscience to archaeology to the human brain and behavior. She was previously a senior writer for Live Science but is now a freelancer based in Denver, Colorado, and regularly contributes to Scientific American and The Monitor, the monthly magazine of the American Psychological Association. Stephanie received a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of South Carolina and a graduate certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz.