Hi, T. Joe!
I don't know about others, here, but I've been using digital cameras for many years, now and have tried 4-5 brands. I, too, like to take a lot of Macro styled, close up photos of insects to help me duplicate colors, etc. when tying.
After trying several brands of cameras out there, I've settled on different models and styles of the "Olympus" line of digitals. Namely, any of the "Camedia" series of Olympus cameras.
I've had 2 of the 5 Olympus cameras I own, for over 5 years now and the older ones are as reliable and work as well, as my newer ones do!
The two I use the most for Macro pictures, are my Olympus Camedia-model #C-3040-ZOOM (7mg-pixels)which is a larger bodied digital, I like for tripod use, then my Olympus Camedia #D-520-ZOOM,(3mg.pixels), which is a smaller, take a long, "fishing camera".
NEXT, (if I win the lottery), I'd love to get an "SLR" style digital camera, but truthfully, after borrowing and using a few now, their "macro" taking capabilities are no better than the cameras, that I currently own!
Again, it's only MY experience and opinions, but for the bucks, the photo programs provided with the them, plus the quality of pictures................. the Olympus Camedia models are hard to beat!