[Fuchsia]

Oh you two are just so clever! I am in the presence of greatness

Jen

[harry eales]

Originally Posted by Fuchsia

Oh you two are just so clever! I am in the presence of greatness

Jen

Hello Jen,

If I was clever, I wouldn't have started two consecutive sentences with the words "I always". See post #225 para.3. A classic case of bad English. It just goes to show that even a small 'post' also needs 'Proof reading'.

Harry

[harry eales]

Originally Posted by Angus T

Well Harry, here's another that I now think may be a Shieldbug nymph. It was swept from grass in July. Really very small, only about 3-4mm in length.

Hello Angus,
I've managed to run down the identity of your baby Shieldbugs.

They are second instar nymphs of the Green Shieldbug P.prasina.

First instar nymphs are a pinkish/beige with black abdominal and thorassic markings as per your picture.

In the third instar the black triangular thorassic marking turn to a dark green but it does retain the black cross bands on the abdomen, which is a lighter green than the thorassic area.

In the forth instar the nymph is a uniform green.

In the final instar it reverts to a similar colour to the third instar nymphs but with the wing buds starting to extend from the thorax over part of the abdomen.

I did get confirmation of the ID by Emailing your thumbnails to Dr. B.Nau, the National Hemiptera/Heteroptera Recorder.

Harry

[Angus T]

Originally Posted by harry eales

Hello Angus,
I've managed to run down the identity of your baby Shieldbugs.

Well done
and this is for you

[harry eales]

Originally Posted by Angus T

Well done
and this is for you

Hi Angus,
I'd rather have the real thing, You can buy me a proper one, the next time I'm in the Emerald Isle.

Harry

[steve covey]

Originally Posted by harry eales

Hello Steve,
It'n nice to know someone sympathises. I trust you removed the shieldbug to a safer place. I'd feel rather sorry, if it ended up on the local refuse tip.

I know how you feel about your report being value for money, I try and do the same. One thing to avoid is 'waffle', it's far better to stick to the facts.

I always have a map of the site(s) examined, alongside the site information. I always try and obtain photo's of the pond, lake, stream etc which can be better than a written description, these can be placed in an appendix. Photo's of the species recorded can also add to your report, not everyone who reads it will know all about dragonflies or what they look like.

I always include pond or lake area, altitude, weather conditions on the day(s) each site was visited or examined. Even air temperature, if you have recorded it. A detailed description of the aquatic, emergent and bankside vegetation for each site adds more 'facts' and these are important, it shows you are doing the work on site.

Establish a standard method for reporting on each site and keep everything in the same order for all the other site reports.

A page or two on possible/suggested conservation measures on any site you think may be in need of it, is always helpful to the WLTrusts.

Always have a species summary and a note about the known modern and historical distribution of the Dragonflies seen (check with your local BDFS County recorder).

Don't forget to have a 'references' section and an acknowledgements page at the end.

Try and create a personal 'style' and stick to it in subsequent reports, changing styles can be confusing to the readers. People like continuity, so don't make waves. lol.

Always Email a copy to a friend to check it for errors, the human brain is a funny thing, reading over a report you have written yourself and trying to spot errors is difficult, as you tend to read what you think you wrote, and that may differ somewhat from what you actually wrote. (if that makes sense). It pays to print out a rough working copy on 'El Cheapo' paper and go over it with a highlighter pen, it is easier to spot errors in print form, than on a computer screen.

Good gramma and spellin is helpful. lol. Italicise all Latin names. Vary font sizes in a standard way and don't be afraid to use Bold text.

I hope this is helpful, if not, bin it.

Harry

Hi Harry,
I brought the shieldbug home with me, waited for it to 'colour up' to confirm it's ID before releasing it in vegetation in my garden. So hopefully it will find somewhere cosy to ride out the winter.
Thanks for all the suggestions and advice on report making. I fear my first one won't be as detailed as you think it ought to be. But then, the reserves manager I'm writing it for is pretty laid back and knows it's my first.
I did take pics of the ponds I've surveyed, but I'm very weak on plant ID [both terrestrial and aquatic]. Consulting wth the county recorder will be easy - that's me
To be honest I think he 'commissioned' me to carry out the survey as a means to utilise the 'spare' fund money. As you know, if funds aren't used then it's harder to justify applying for them, or similar, again!
Cheers,

Steve.

[A Binding]

Originally Posted by SleepyLizard

Does anyone recognise this bug. Found on Gorse (Ulex europaeus)

Your photo is of a gorse shieldbug - Adult

Allan and Annette Binding

[sue webster]

hi tammie ,the bug you found is a shield bug as it lis shaped like a shield. when i get home from the library i will look it up and get back to you as i have this bug in my uisects book --i found one the same recently but have not got my book with to tell exactly which bug it is . be in touch next week from sue .

[Jamie D]

Hi,

can someone id the folowing for me as I've lost my reference card. Length nose to tail 9mm caught yesterday,

Thanks,
Jamie

[steve covey]

Originally Posted by J Duffie

Hi,

can someone id the folowing for me as I've lost my reference card. Length nose to tail 9mm caught yesterday,

Thanks,
Jamie

Hi Jamie,
it looks like a Hawthorn Shieldbug to me. The markings look a bit 'muddled' but I guess that's due to a general darkening of the pigmentation that affects most species that overwinter [not sure if they all do - recently got the Surrey book but not had a chance to read it yet].
Not seen any species myself for a couple of weeks so good to know they are still active somewhere.
Cheers,

Steve.

[Jamie D]

Hi,

thanks. I also though it looked like hawthorn but the previous ones were all about 14mm in length but this was tiny (9mm). Perhaps it is just a runt

Regards,
Jamie

[steve covey]

Originally Posted by J Duffie

Hi,

thanks. I also though it looked like hawthorn but the previous ones were all about 14mm in length but this was tiny (9mm). Perhaps it is just a runt

Regards,
Jamie

Hmm - yes, the size didn't register when I scanned yur message. It is a bit small isn't it. Perhaps it is a recently emerged specimen and as a nymph had a hard time finding enough food. I wonder if that is normal for late season individuals! Harry - help
Cheers,

Steve.

[harry eales]

Originally Posted by J Duffie

Hi,

can someone id the folowing for me as I've lost my reference card. Length nose to tail 9mm caught yesterday,

Thanks,
Jamie

Hello Jamie,
It's not a Hawthorn Shieldbug as Steve seems to think, but a Green Birch Shieldbug Elasmostethus interstinctus.
I have lightened your picture somewhat so it is more clearly seen. They do darken down somewhat prior to hibernating. It's usual size is between 9 and 10mm. The shape of the 'shoulders' clearly shows it isn't the Hawthorn Shieldbug.

Harry

[steve covey]

Originally Posted by harry eales

Hello Jamie,
It's not a Hawthorn Shieldbug as Steve seems to think, but a Green Birch Shieldbug Elasmostethus interstinctus.
I have lightened your picture somewhat so it is more clearly seen. They do darken down somewhat prior to hibernating. It's usual size is between 9 and 10mm. The shape of the 'shoulders' clearly shows it isn't the Hawthorn Shieldbug.

Harry

That'll teach me to go jumping in with both feet. It's more obvious now you've lightened up the pic Harry. Also [and I don't know if this is diagnostic] the tips of the wings are rounded whereas in Hawthorn they look more pointed. Why can't they all stay the same colour - they ought to rename them chameleon bug
Cheers, and sorry for the misdirection Jamie,

Steve.

[harry eales]

Originally Posted by steve covey

That'll teach me to go jumping in with both feet. It's more obvious now you've lightened up the pic Harry. Also [and I don't know if this is diagnostic] the tips of the wings are rounded whereas in Hawthorn they look more pointed. Why can't they all stay the same colour - they ought to rename them chameleon bug
Cheers, and sorry for the misdirection Jamie,

Steve.

Hello Steve,
He who never makes mistakes, never makes anything. I have made some really big ones myself, like getting divorced six months before my ex wife inherited 3/4 of a million. Ouch.

Re: changing colour, have you never sunbathed? lol. I change colour dramatically once a year............... When I have my annual bath. Boom, Boom.

Harry

[Fuchsia]

Originally Posted by steve covey

Not seen any species myself for a couple of weeks so good to know they are still active somewhere.

Yep - they're all in my bedroom!! I share it with a gazillion Raphigaster nebulosa in the Winter. Don't mind apart from when they land on me and squirt me when I brush them off!

[Surreybirder]

I found this while looking for leaf-miners this a.m.
Is it a friend of yours, Harry?
Ken

[Surreybirder]

Originally Posted by harry eales

Hello Steve,
He who never makes mistakes, never makes anything. I have made some really big ones myself, like getting divorced six months before my ex wife inherited 3/4 of a million. Ouch.

Re: changing colour, have you never sunbathed? lol. I change colour dramatically once a year............... When I have my annual bath. Boom, Boom.

Harry

Just read that and wish I hadn't
Looks like the one I've put in the previous post might be a birch sb? It was in woodland with a lot of birch, some oak, some broadleaved trees I'm not sure of (hornbeam or beech?), wild apple, honeysuckle, holly but not much hawthorn. It was about 1cm long (not counting legs and antennae).
Ken

[harry eales]

Originally Posted by Surreybirder

I found this while looking for leaf-miners this a.m.
Is it a friend of yours, Harry?
Ken

Hello Ken,

It is a friend of mine, A Hawthorn Shieldbug. A tad late for one up here in the north-east but as your probably several degrees warmer down south, they may be out for another week or two.

Added:- Most Shieldbugs are not confined to the foodplant they may be named after. The Hawthorn Shieldbug can be found on almost and berry bearing tree or shrub, even on soft fruit. At other times they may be found on other tree species, possibly looking for a place to hibernate, especially at this time of year.
Harry

Cassanova and Drunk of this Parish.

[Surreybirder]

Thanks, Harry!

[steve covey]

Found this totally by accident today when I stopped to photograph an interesting fungi on a mown grass verge at Amesbury, Wilts. I hope I'm right in identifying this as a Juniper Shieldbug as it will be a new one for me!
Cheers,

Steve.

[Fuchsia]

That is really pretty :-)))

[steve covey]

Originally Posted by Fuchsia

That is really pretty :-)))

Yes, I agree, particularly the wings - they look like stained glass. It's quite small as well, probably 10-12mm long. It was sat on the grass next to a fungus I originally stopped to photograph. I hope the owners of the house didn't notice me out on their front grass strip. Not sure if it was theirs or council owned which they mow anyway!
The hedge dividing their garden from said strip was beech - no Juniper or any other conifer nearby. But as Harry said before they do move around a bit.
Any way, Harry please put me out of my misery and tell me I've got it right - I'm dying to add it to my species list!
Steve.

[Fuchsia]

No doubt about it I'd say! I'm looking forward to seeing one. I have a mental picture of you sitting with camera outside someone's house - if they come out sit very still and they might think you're a gnome!

http://www.rutkies.de/wanzen/Cyphost...anze%2002.html

Jen :-)

[harry eales]

Originally Posted by steve covey

Found this totally by accident today when I stopped to photograph an interesting fungi on a mown grass verge at Amesbury, Wilts. I hope I'm right in identifying this as a Juniper Shieldbug as it will be a new one for me!
Cheers,

Steve.

Hello Steve,
You are correct it is a Juniper Shieldbug. It has become very widespread in southern England (south of The Wash) since adapting to feed on several Juniper related species like Lawsons Cypress. It's still confined to wild Juniper in the north-eastern counties.

If you have a look around the area where you found it, I'm pretty sure you will locate it's modern foodplant in the immediate vicinity. The points of ID are visible in your photograph, the reddish boomerang shaped forewing markings, the basal segment of the antennae not extending beyond the head and the two segmented feet.

Harry
Cassanova and Drunk of this Parish.