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| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |  » Stats |
Members: 32,206
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18-09-2007, 04:07 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hidden in the clover
Posts: 1,567
| | | Harlequin. larva to adult
6 days ago, one of the Harlequin Ladybird larvae our garden is seemingly over-run with, took up residence on our exterior kitchen wall.
It has hardly moved since. 
Until today.
I had a sneaky suspicion this might be happening...  
(Apologies for the poor quality of the last two images - still on phonecam! Click where it suggests to shrink and 'de-pixel 'em a wee bit!)
It looked like a larva this morning (before I went to bed) and it has obviously just started this process. I've just checked again, and I can literally see it darken and harden before my eyes.
I'll keep watch...
Doug.
Last edited by The Black Rabbit; 18-09-2007 at 04:18 PM.
Reason: add photos
|
18-09-2007, 04:22 PM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sheffield, FPRSY
Posts: 5,839
| | | Re: Harlequin. larva to adult
Yes, I've seen the whole series today - although mainly large larvae just before pupation. It is fascinating to watch the whole process. Have you tried touching the pupa? |
18-09-2007, 04:35 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hidden in the clover
Posts: 1,567
| | | Re: Harlequin. larva to adult
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul mabbott  Yes, I've seen the whole series today - although mainly large larvae just before pupation. It is fascinating to watch the whole process. Have you tried touching the pupa? | Is it a secret portal?
Will I be whisked away to a magical land where Giant Ladybirds rule the humans?!
Sorry Paul.
To be serious for a moment, I did touch the larva just before it decided to pupate.
It shrugged a little, and thats it.
I haven't poked it since (though the idea that I should crush it betwixt thumb and forefinger did cross my mind briefly - they've eaten all my "unidentified moth egg larvae" (that I posted on some time ago)).
But of course I didn't.
What does happen when you touch the pupa?
Doug. |
18-09-2007, 05:01 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sheffield, FPRSY
Posts: 5,839
| | | Re: Harlequin. larva to adult
It twitches - the flicking movement which many ladybird pupae do to scare off predators. There's not a lot else they can do to protect themselves. Quote:
Originally Posted by The Black Rabbit Is it a secret portal?
What does happen when you touch the pupa?
Doug. | |
18-09-2007, 05:19 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3,460
| | | Re: Harlequin. larva to adult
Good pictures, an amazing process.  |
19-09-2007, 08:43 AM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hidden in the clover
Posts: 1,567
| | | Re: Harlequin. larva to adult
A day later...
The pupa has turned its normal black colour and really hardened up.
Paul - how long before I can expect eclosure?
Doug.
(Once again, click where it suggests to shrink the pixellated image... sorry!)  |
19-09-2007, 09:54 AM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sheffield, FPRSY
Posts: 5,839
| | | Re: Harlequin. larva to adult
Depends on the temperature - three days, fourteen days? A week is average in the summer but with the chill setting in (at least where I am) could be longer, or never ... |
19-09-2007, 10:36 AM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hidden in the clover
Posts: 1,567
| | | Re: Harlequin. larva to adult
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul mabbott Depends on the temperature - three days, fourteen days? A week is average in the summer but with the chill setting in (at least where I am) could be longer, or never ... | Ah.
Ok.
Well, with luck it'll be ok. I think yesterday's "chill" was down, pretty much to a northerly wind (at least here), and that seems to have changed. For now. Maybe it'll be a wee bit warmer for the next day or so?
I'll keep watching anyway.
Cheers Paul.
Doug. |
19-09-2007, 11:25 AM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boroughbridge near York - isn't the same as the Dales, but close enough!
Posts: 2,389
| | | Re: Harlequin. larva to adult
Got my fingers crossed for the little chap - hope he makes it out safely! 
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Happiness is not getting what you want... but wanting what you get |
19-09-2007, 11:30 AM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hidden in the clover
Posts: 1,567
| | | Re: Harlequin. larva to adult
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cazzie Got my fingers crossed for the little chap - hope he makes it out safely! | Cheers Cazzie!
I'll keep youz posted!
Doug |
05-10-2007, 06:25 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hidden in the clover
Posts: 1,567
| | | Re: Harlequin. larva to adult
And seventeen days later, we have eclosure, Houston.
Day 1: Larva selects a spot on the wall.
Day 6: Pupa formed in totality. In one day it seems.
Day 23: Eclosure takes place in the warm sun.
Aplogies for the poor phone cam photie again.  
The end.
Doug. |
05-10-2007, 06:56 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3,460
| | | Re: Harlequin. larva to adult
Wow, that's amazing. It's a miracle really. |
05-10-2007, 08:22 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sheffield, FPRSY
Posts: 5,839
| | | Re: Harlequin. larva to adult
Nice one. So more than two weeks but fewer than three at this time of year.
Good series .... Quote:
Originally Posted by The Black Rabbit And seventeen days later, we have eclosure, Houston.
Day 1: Larva selects a spot on the wall.
Day 6: Pupa formed in totality. In one day it seems.
Day 23: Eclosure takes place in the warm sun.
Aplogies for the poor phone cam photie again.
The end.
Doug. | |
06-10-2007, 02:25 AM
|  | Dame Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Kent
Posts: 7,590
| | | Re: Harlequin. larva to adult
I'm amazed how they pupate in such an exposed position.
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