The Peoria Camera Club (PCC) of Illinois and the Entomological Society of America (ESA) annually host or sponsor the Salon. ESA displays the winning images and acceptances in an exhibition at its annual ESA meeting, which this year will take place Nov. 10-13 in Phoenix, Ariz. Thousands of insect science professionals will "meet, share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge," ESA relates on its website.
This year the International Insect Salon competition drew 148 images from 37 photographers in 13 countries, according to coordinator Joe Virbickis of PCC. "And sadly, this will be the last National Insect Salon offered by the Peoria Camera Club. The number of images has been relentlessly declining year-to-year. This and other factors make the Salon no longer viable for our club to sponsor."
Judges selected the following 2024 medalists:
- Kwong Ying Au-yeung of Hong Kong won the medal for best of show with his image of a robber fly.
- Chen-you Li of Taiwan won the medal for best storytelling with his image, "Hunting 177." He also won the medal for most unusual image and the medal for best photo by a non-ESA member
- Joseph Spencer of Thomasboro, Ill. scored the medal for best image by an ESA member for his "Cloudless Sulphur on Thistle."
- Lori Townzen of Pekin, Ill., received the medal for best image by a PCC member with her "Emerging Cicada After Sundown."
Only two California photographers received acceptances: Dan Osipov of Danville for his Glasswings, awarded an honorable mention; and Kathy Keatley Garvey (yours truly) of UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology for her image of a pollen-packing honey bee in flight, which she titled "Heavy Load."
It's an honor to be accepted.
And thanks to the Peoria Camera Club for their work in coordinating the contest.
Attached Images:
Kwong Ying Au-yeung of Hong Kong won best of show in the International Insect Salon with this image of a robber fly and prey. (Screen shot from International Insect Salon)
This image by Joseph Spencer of Thomasboro, Ill., won the medal for best image by an ESA member in the International Insect Salon. He titled it "Cloudless Sulphur on Thistle." (Screen shot from the International Insect Salon)
Dan Osipov of Danville, Calif., won a honorable mention in the International Insect Salon competition with this image that he titled "Glasswings." Only two California photographers had images accepted. (Screen shot from International Insect Salon)