PHOTO: Bugs eggs - worth the try?

I got this file rejected with the option to resubmit it.
Shield bugs eggs rejected - may resubmit
But then I decided to try and use a similar file after having worked a bit to try and make a few adjustments.
The result was as below.
Shield bugs eggs - New Try
But the question now is whether it is worth to try with such subject more than if the file can enjoy approval.

Both images look underexposed. But...


Is that supposed to be a white background? First of all it is not white. Secondary, white background is almost synonymous with isolated on white. If isolating any object, your objective should be to capture entire object in a frame so it could be rotated and moved around as a design object. Otherwise, you should zoom in so that leaf covers entire frame and focus on bug eggs.


 

I agree it would be a stronger composition with just the green leaf and some eggs.

Thank you, friends!
In this case, I guess the best I can do is crop the file, and try to adjust exposure.