When we launched our macro photo contest, we were ready for an abundance of insect and flower images, but the final turnout was just incredible. So incredible, in fact, that we've decided to break out the insect images into their own best-of gallery. The official winner of the contest will be announced in a future issue of Popular Photography (click here to subscribe), but for now, here are 30 incredible macro insect shots to keep you inspired. Hope you're not afraid of spiders or other crawly things. If so, getting through the full gallery might be a challenge in itself.
Each photo is presented with the caption and technical info provided by the shooter. Once you've made your way through the gallery, head over to Popphoto.com/contests to enter your own work in our competitions.
By Mark Watson
A wet ladybug walking on a rock with some yellow card as a backdrop.
![Ian Plant Gallery: [Sponsored Gallery]](http://www.popphoto.com/files/imagecache/beg_olgallery_thumb/_images/201305/detail-of-patterns-in-rock-los-glaciares-national-park-patagonia-argentina.jpg "Ian Plant Gallery: [Sponsored Gallery]")
