Re: Fun with a Praying Mantis
Love the captions! Just what I needed, a good laugh. I was beginning to get a little creeped out by all the bugs. But I do enjoy trying to capture them even though they give me nightmares.
I'll post some of my flower/bug shots for your opinions, please.
Thanks for all the great inspiration!
http://i56.tinypic.com/21jrgjp.jpg
http://i51.tinypic.com/ju8jyu.jpg
http://i51.tinypic.com/2rmab7l.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/2afxvcx.jpg
Re: Fun with a Praying Mantis
Ant under a blade of grass
Re: Ant under a blade of grass
Peter. Look at the long middle wing vein on your latest hoverfly. Vein R4+5 to use the technical term. See that deep loop in the vein; which means it must be one of the Eristalini family. We will make an entomologist out of you yet. :D
In actual fact, with that dark wing cloud this one is potentially very interesting. I would like to see more details of the hind leg but suspect this might be Eristalis rupium. One that I have yet to encounter in person. :rolleyes:
But today I did manage an Orange Ladybird with wings open as it took flight. I will post it here as soon as I start editing today's photos.
Re: Ant under a blade of grass
OK here is the Orange Ladybird (Halyzia 16-guttata) from today.
I didn't get both wing cases in perfect focus and the wings are a bit hidden. But I think it makes an interesting shot from this angle.
http://i56.tinypic.com/qz4yhg.jpg
Re: Ant under a blade of grass
Still something of an enigma, Peter. The hind leg tarsus (last segment) should be partly yellow if it is E. rupium, but it does appear rather dark.
And just to add to the confusion, there are a couple of European species which occur from Belgium to Denmark that are very similar. It has me wondering . . .
Those Orange Ladybirds are generally woodland species which mostly live rather higher up in the foliage so often get missed. But they aren't nearly as common as the normal 7 spot.
And a couple of weeks ago I managed a shot of a 24 spot ladybird. There are actually over 20 species of ladybird in the UK. Plus those potentially harmful Harlequin Ladybirds which have now arrived in quantities in some areas; although they are still a bit scarce where I live.
And today's high spot was a strange harvestman which originally came from Morocco. But they are a benign import which is slowly spreading. I will post a photo either here or on the spider thread. Dicranopalpus ramosus and with no common name. I usually see one or two a year.
Re: Ladybugs or is it ladybirds?
Quote:
Those Orange Ladybirds are generally woodland species which mostly live rather higher up in the foliage so often get missed. But they aren't nearly as common as the normal 7 spot.
And a couple of weeks ago I managed a shot of a 24 spot ladybird. There are actually over 20 species of ladybird in the UK. Plus those potentially harmful Harlequin Ladybirds which have now arrived in quantities in some areas; although they are still a bit scarce where I live.
I, too, liked the orange ladybug picture. Never counted their spots either. I will have to pay attention more the next time I see one. I had no idea there were so many types. Learn something new every time I read here. Even about bugs! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Re: Ladybugs or is it ladybirds?
Part of the trouble with ladybird identification, Darlene, is the arrival of those Harlequin Ladybirds.
Peter's photo could be an Eyed Ladybird (Anatis ocellata) but without the typical rings around the spots if it has black legs.
However, if the legs are brownish it will more likely be a Harlequin (Harmonia axyridis). Probably Harlequin version 'succinea'. There are over 100 recorded colour variations for Harlequins.
Incidentally the Harlequin story is quite interesting - and also worrying.
Briefly put. Originally these were Asian species which were introduced into America for pest control. They grew and bred more prolifically than native species and were active under cooler temperatures.
Somehow they managed to mutate and overcome the natural constraints on their numbers. Now they are starting to exclude native ladybirds.
ps. I have posted another harvestman, Dicranopalpus ramosus on the Spider Thread. This is another immigrant, from Morocco this time, but it seems to be a much happier story and is gradually 'merging into the undergrowth' alongside native species without causing any problems.