I like shooting closeups of insects with various lenses, and this is a perfect example of how well even a fairly long zoom can work. if you add a closeup lens, in this case, a Canon 500D, the 77mm version + a 67-77mm step-up ring.
The model (a tiny figurine about two inches tall) made in Cernit Polymer Clay, is a perfect model when the insects happen to be elsewhere.
I used a small flash, with a homemade diffusor, and some daylight.
I don't like using extension tubes with zoom lenses, as the zoom ring then becomes the focusing, and the focusing ring doesn't do much at all.