Squash Bug ID? (Ketton, Rutland) (1 Viewer)

[DoghouseRiley]

Hi All

Found this bug almost by accident as it flew into me and ended up on this grass.

I think it is Syromastus rhombeus (Rhombic Leatherbug) but could someone confirm because it is a little out of area.

Yours, Gareth

 

[aeshna5]

I would agree with you.

 

[DoghouseRiley]

I would agree with you.

That's great news, thanks creaturesnapper

 

[Dyrlege]

Highly likely.

 

[DoghouseRiley]

Highly likely.

Thanks Dyrlege. My only doubt was that it appears to be a fair way out of area.

 

[pdwinter]

My only doubt was that it appears to be a fair way out of area.

Last year my friend Jason and I found two separate colonies of Trapezonotus ullrichi (Ullrich's Groundbug) in Nursling just NW of Southampton. Up to that date they were known (in Britain) only from coastal cliffs in Cornwall, Devon and Pembrokeshire. But the ID is relatively straightforward so we had no doubt and submitted the records through iRecord and the records were accepted.

I try to ID the insect that is in front of me based on the physical characteristics. If there is a choice between two similar insects that are known to have completely separate geographical distributions then I might have to use location.

Anyway, leaving all that aside, this is Syromastus rhombeus - a really good find - and I'm sure the recording scheme would be really interested

 

[DoghouseRiley]

Last year my friend Jason and I found two separate colonies of Trapezonotus ullrichi (Ullrich's Groundbug) in Nursling just NW of Southampton. Up to that date they were known (in Britain) only from coastal cliffs in Cornwall, Devon and Pembrokeshire. But the ID is relatively straightforward so we had no doubt and submitted the records through iRecord and the records were accepted.

I try to ID the insect that is in front of me based on the physical characteristics. If there is a choice between two similar insects that are known to have completely separate geographical distributions then I might have to use location.

Anyway, leaving all that aside, this is Syromastus rhombeus - a really good find - and I'm sure the recording scheme would be really interested

Thanks Paul and good advice.

 

[Dyrlege]

Thanks Dyrlege. My only doubt was that it appears to be a fair way out of area.

I believe they have wings?
Same for insects as for birds, they are not always aware of their place in geography 😎
You have made a very plausible ID, and not been called out!

 

[DoghouseRiley]

I believe they have wings?
Same for insects as for birds, they are not always aware of their place in geography 😎
You have made a very plausible ID, and not been called out!

Thanks Dyrlege. I am a very amateur photographer/naturalist. I have always found an interest in the small things that pass most people by. And with the help of a macro lens they become a whole lot more interesting.

It is interesting that this species has moved from the coast (presumably), that's aleast 47 miles as a crow flies. I suspect that some species are having to adapt due to habitat loss and climate change.

 

[Dyrlege]

Thanks Dyrlege. I am a very amateur photographer/naturalist. I have always found an interest in the small things that pass most people by. And with the help of a macro lens they become a whole lot more interesting.

It is interesting that this species has moved from the coast (presumably), that's aleast 47 miles as a crow flies. I suspect that some species are having to adapt due to habitat loss and climate change.

It may also be that no-one has actually found AND bothered to ID one in that location before😄.

 

[pdwinter]

I think that it will likely be moving north with global warming but insects also get shifted around with vegetation / transport.
The NBN map is below - some records quite close to Rutland.

 

[DoghouseRiley]

I agree with both of you............................... more queries to post though. Hoverflies first, then.......................... wasps!