Canon macro lens?

Zoom lenses are also great. You can be a few feet away and zoom in very, very close. I used this method to photograph Cicadas with great success.

Take a look at my WWP entry from earlier this year -

http://geoimages.berkeley.edu/worldwidepanorama/wwp607/html/RichardCDrew.html

The Cicadas that are "flying" and crawling were photographed with my 300mm telephoto lens. The flying ones were actually dead, belly up.

The big difference is that a telephoto can have a very small depth of field - the subject is crisp, everythng else is soft.

Rick

I use a 100mm with extension tubes and a 1.4 extender at times. This is good for the smaller insects. AS for the larger stuff....I use the 100mm alone but at times wish I had a 180mm so I could be further away to reduce the risk of scaring the subject. Feel free to send me a private email.

All of my images are taken with the 100 mm macro. I have found its good for insects down to about 1/4 inch in size, at least with a 10D camera.

Is a good choice, gives a bit more than 1x (life-size) with the Rebel's sensor. You may want to consider adding a Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX flash unit, makes life easier when the light is dim.
The 65mm Macro will limit you to (about) 1x to 5x, wait on this one until you decide you really need (want) it.
The 180mm Macro is good to 1x and gives you a greater lense to subject distance and can be used with the 2x extender that will give a 2x image, draw back is the increase in camera shake and weight problems.
The 50mm Macro is fine for copystand work, not a good choice for field work.
Start with the 100mm and flash unit, after a few bug safaris you may decide to start adding more lense choices, camera backs, computers, insect books, debt (hey, that what those plastic cards are for).;)>

canon lens is what I have and I love it.