Ladybird pupa?

[Toby]

found on fence in Kew Gdns today:

[Paul mabbott]

I think that this may be Epilachna argus or at least one of the Epilachniini of which E. argus is the only known British species. Was thee white bryony nearby?

Originally Posted by Toby

found on fence in Kew Gdns today:

There was a previous thread (last?) year .....

[Dogghound]

Yes it is indeed The Bryony ladybird Epilachna argus.

[Toby]

thanks for that ID, saw an Orange Ladybird in the vicinity.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Toby

thanks for that ID, saw an Orange Ladybird in the vicinity.

Two very different species but sometimes quite visible this late in the year! It would be interesting to know if the E. argus emerges -and when; could you collect some and see what happens?

The range ladybird, Halyzia sedecimguttata does urvive very late into the year and there is even the possibility that pupae might survive over winter.

[Toby]

Trouble is the pupa is on a fence not a leaf so i'm not sure how I would collect it - do they prise off easily, would it need to be superglued to wood at home??

[Pudding4brains]

Hi All,

Paul knows this, but the advice to collect could possibly be interpreted differently(?): The pupa is, of course, certainly a Epilachninae - not an orange ladybird. But it's still interesting to collect it and see it emerge.

Just for reference - Orange LB:


Ladybird larvae indeed "glue" themselves to the substrate before pupating, so it's possible to gently cut/pry it loose (sometimes they fall off quite easily). It's quite important however to fixate the pupa again once at home as the beetle will have great trouble emerging, and probably get damaged in the process when the pupa/exuvia can move freely.

Best NOT with superglue though - I'm quite certain the chemicals would do the animal no good, rather try some natural "glue" like starch or so, or maybe something silly like honey, it will be dry enough by the time the beetle starts puttering around.

My 2 ct.
Arp

[asheleaf]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

I think that this may be Epilachna argus or at least one of the Epilachniini of which E. argus is the only known British species. Was thee white bryony nearby?



There was a previous thread (last?) year .....

I posted about these last year. I have them in the garden and have been following them for a couple of years now. Those that i found at this time of year never did emerge. I imagine a parasite did for them!

White bryony wont be visible now. Its died back completely and wont pop up again until next spring.

Ashe

[Toby]

went back, still there - may collect tomorrow now i've read replies. Sounds like it may well not emerge.
Better photo

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Toby

went back, still there - may collect tomorrow now i've read replies. Sounds like it may well not emerge.
Better photo

... but if it's been parasitised then the parasite might emerge. That could be very interesting so keep anything that does pop up!