"Will" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 2 Sep 2004 10:10:46 +0200, Tim Challenger
wrote:

On Thu, 2 Sep 2004 09:04:45 +0100, BAC wrote:

"Tim Challenger" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 01 Sep 2004 18:50:34 GMT, Will wrote:

Hi,

Whilst digging some potatoes this afternoon, I spied a hitherto
unseen (by me!) beetle. I've put a small (15K) picture up on
www.mole-end-cottage.co.uk/beetle/beetle2.jpg anyone any idea?
It is
about the size of a large ladybird...
It's definitely a (shield)bug nymph (Hemiptera: heteroptera) and
not a
beetle.
Palomena prasina?
http://www.inra.fr/Internet/Produits...ES/7033522.jpg


I agree it's almost certainly a shield bug nymph, resembling a
beetle, and
the markings are similar to the common green shieldbug nymph you
suggest,
but p prasina nymphs are usually green with black markings, and
the specimen
on the photo posted didn't look green to me, although, obviously,
the
markings are spot on. I can't suggest a closer match :-)

It's a sort of turquoise colour really, isn't it? I've had quite a
few in
my garden and they are quite variable. I suppose depending on age
and
lighting. Will's picture captures the colour I usually see quite
well.
Assuming it *is* a P. prasina of course.

A trip to the local bookshop and browse through the insect
identification
books might be in order.

Hi Tim,

these pictures were taken at (or beyond) the limits of my
camera, the background colour of the "beetle" is a pure, clean
white,
the "shoulders" are a mid-brown lustre, and the other markings are
pure black. I don't suppose that this alters things much, but
thought
I ought to present an accurate description.

Hi,
I'd say its a pied Shield bug nymph.
Eggs are laid in the ground - so the location is right.
Favoured foodplant is White Dead Nettle - and its a fair bet that
there is some of that around. :-)
They go through several nymph stages, changing coloration each time,
before ending up predominately Black with white markings at the edge
of the wing cases.
If they eat nettles they can't be bad. :-)

--
ned

http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk
last update 21.08.2004