David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images
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Bugs
10 – Ornate Shieldbugs
ORNATE SHIELDBUG Eurydema
ornata
ORNATE SHIELDBUG Eurydema
ornata
ORNATE SHIELDBUG Eurydema
ornata
ORNATE SHIELDBUG Eurydema
ornata
ORNATE SHIELDBUG Eurydema
ornata
ORNATE SHIELDBUG Eurydema
ornata
ORNATE SHIELDBUG Eurydema
ornata
ORNATE SHIELDBUG Eurydema
ornata
ORNATE SHIELDBUG Eurydema
ornata
ORNATE
SHIELDBUG Eurydema
ornata
(nymph)
ORNATE SHIELDBUG Eurydema
ornata (nymph)
ORNATE SHIELDBUG Eurydema
ornata (nymph)
ORNATE SHIELDBUG Eurydema
ornata (emerging first instar nymphs)
·
The continental Ornate Shieldbug Eurydema ornata has been beginning
to colonise the UK recently. This very handsome insect has several different
colour morphs as will be evident from this series of photographs and some of
these may be related to maturity or the time of year. The first image of a very
striking scarlet and black female is notable for having been taken at a
well-known site on the North Downs in 2016. It was only the second ever record
for the Vice-county but sadly the exact spot where she was seen was
subsequently ‘strimmed’ down to ground level by the
representatives of a conservation organisation as the wardens claimed that the
vegetation had been obstructing the visibility from one of their Land Rovers on
a curve and the photographer has been unable to relocate this bug ever since. Given
the distance from any human habitation it would seem very likely that she had
arrived there without any artificial assistance. Surely, a simple toot on the horn
would have sufficed! The red, cream and black variant is particularly
beautiful. A partial life-history has been included at the end of the sequence
and the remaining photographs were taken in France and Portugal. Although not
observed it is probable that the emerging first instar nymphs would have
consumed their own eggshells as easy protein sources are rarely ignored in
nature. If this bug does become established inland, then the most likely route
would be on plant products that have managed to evade biosecurity measures. It
is perhaps most likely to colonise the London suburbs as the microclimate is
comparatively warm and other European bugs have already set a precedent.
·
David’s short film of the
Surrey Ornate Shieldbug
may be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LSPo2SoxZ8&list=PL4AirIEc0NoeuL9e36qZC-CQ0yX0XC7QZ&index=82&t=0s.
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