Unidentified beetle - anyone recognise it?
 

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...

--
Regards,

Will.

In message , Will
writes
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...


That looks to me like a shield bug nymph. Exactly which species I don't
know.

--
Max Wright
www.wys-systems.demon.co.uk/plotcrop

If I were you I'd forward your pictures to DEFRA plant health at


I cant find it under notifiable pests, but it would be better safe than
sorry.

A useful site for bugs is
http://www.kendall-bioresearch.co.uk/index.htm

--
David Hill
Abacus nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk

On Wed, 1 Sep 2004 22:27:35 +0100, "David Hill"
wrote:

If I were you I'd forward your pictures to DEFRA plant health at


I cant find it under notifiable pests, but it would be better safe than
sorry.

A useful site for bugs is
http://www.kendall-bioresearch.co.uk/index.htm

Hi,

Thanks for the link, I'll forward the pictures to them. Will
report back if anything comes of it.

--
Regards,

Will.

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

--
Tim C.

"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 :-)

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.

--
Tim C.

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.

There's a photo claiming to be a Pied shield bug (Sehirus bicolor) nymph
here (scroll down) : http://www.communigate.co.uk/hants/snhs/page13.phtml
Which looks similar, but seeing other photos I'm not totally convinced.

--
Tim C.

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.

--
Regards,

Will.

On Thu, 2 Sep 2004 10:27:58 +0200, Tim Challenger
wrote:

There's a photo claiming to be a Pied shield bug (Sehirus bicolor) nymph
here (scroll down) : http://www.communigate.co.uk/hants/snhs/page13.phtml
Which looks similar, but seeing other photos I'm not totally convinced.


I don't have any doubt that the bug that they have a picture of
is the same type, their photo is even worse than mine!

Thanks for taking the time to find this, I spent a couple of
hours looking at different photos on the web, and found nothing
similar.

Off now to do a little research into it...

--
Regards,

Will.

On Thu, 02 Sep 2004 10:00:13 GMT, Will wrote:

On Thu, 2 Sep 2004 10:27:58 +0200, Tim Challenger
wrote:

There's a photo claiming to be a Pied shield bug (Sehirus bicolor) nymph
here (scroll down) : http://www.communigate.co.uk/hants/snhs/page13.phtml
Which looks similar, but seeing other photos I'm not totally convinced.

I don't have any doubt that the bug that they have a picture of
is the same type, their photo is even worse than mine!

Thanks for taking the time to find this, I spent a couple of
hours looking at different photos on the web, and found nothing
similar.

Off now to do a little research into it...

Let us know if you find anything conclusive - I'm interested in what they
are too.

--
Tim C.

"Tim Challenger" 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.

There you are then, if you've actually seen some which are similar, that's
good enough for me.

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.

There's a photo claiming to be a Pied shield bug (Sehirus bicolor) nymph
here (scroll down) : http://www.communigate.co.uk/hants/snhs/page13.phtml
Which looks similar, but seeing other photos I'm not totally convinced.


Pied shield bug nymphs are described as looking like shiny cream coloured
ladybirds with black spots, so I share your doubts. My local bookshop
doesn't stock Land and Water Bugs of the British Isles, by Southwood and
Leston, 1959, still the best guide to identification, apparently. Now if it
were 'Harry Potter and the Hemiptera from Hell', that would be a different
story :-)

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.

There you are then, if you've actually seen some which are similar, that's
good enough for me.

Next time I see one I'll check and maybe get a photo, just in case my
memory is deceiving me.

--
Tim C.

"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

"Malcolm" wrote in message
...

In article , BAC
writes

"Tim Challenger" 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.

There you are then, if you've actually seen some which are similar,
that's
good enough for me.

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.

There's a photo claiming to be a Pied shield bug (Sehirus bicolor)
nymph
here (scroll down) :
http://www.communigate.co.uk/hants/snhs/page13.phtml
Which looks similar, but seeing other photos I'm not totally convinced.


Pied shield bug nymphs are described as looking like shiny cream coloured
ladybirds with black spots, so I share your doubts. My local bookshop
doesn't stock Land and Water Bugs of the British Isles, by Southwood and
Leston, 1959, still the best guide to identification, apparently. Now if
it
were 'Harry Potter and the Hemiptera from Hell', that would be a
different
story :-)

According to the (black-and-white) illustration in Southwood and Leston
(which I have on CD) it is definitely Pied Shield Bug, Sehirus bicolor,
- the exact pattern. They don't say what the ground colour is.

That seems persuasive, given the very authoritative source.


They don't illustrate the larvae of P.prasina and don't even offer a
text description. All they say, not very helpfully, is that the larvae
"have different colour patterns during each of the five instars".

If there are many possible variations in appearance, perhaps they did not
consider it helpful to include an illustration of just one of them?


If anyone is interested in the CD, go to:
www.irchouse.demon.co.uk


A useful source, thanks.