Sunday, June 1, 2014

Shieldbug nymph



We found this red-legged shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes nymph at Alston yesterday. It will go through further moults before it becomes a winged adult.








Here it is flipped over onto its back, when you can see the rostrum - the long, articulated mouthparts that pierce plant tissues like a hypodermic syringe.




Almost as soon as I righted it the shieldbug shuffled over to a leaf vein, pierced it with the tip of its rostrum and began feeding.


















For more on shield bugs, click here

4 comments:

  1. Found a Shieldbug similar to this, the markings on mine are a little different to yours and can't find a photo... Trying to find as many SB as possible...Which Shieldbug is yours ?
    On my blog at the top of the page is a link to bee,bugs and butterflies, I would be very grateful if you could take a look. Thanks.
    Amanda x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This one was identified for me as a red-legged shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes, Amanda, so I've updated the post. Will check out your blog now and leave a comment if I can help.

      Delete
  2. This is a real beauty. I love summer just for the insects. I have acres of rushes, mares tails and reeds but nothing is climbing up them yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you get lucky and find some dragonfly nymphs hatching, Adrian

      Delete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.