Unidentified bug with strange, snout-like projection

[Bruce Williams]

Took this pic back in May at Stony Stratford Nature Reserve. Unfortunately I only got the one shot (it must have done a runner ). The pic was taken with my little Canon A650 compact camera and frustratingly I didn't make a very good job of the one shot I did get - so detail is a bit sparse.

I would estimate it to be about 6mm long (including snout).



Bruce

[nutmeg]

I'm sure Tristan or Joe will give you an ID but, until they do, I think it might be Aradus depressus. That's what I've labelled a photo of one I found last May... but I'm not certain

[Dogghound]

Yes Aradus depressus, the snout is infact its antenna.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks nutmeg and Dan.

I Googled Aradus depressus and saw immediately that (as you said) my "strange, snout-like projection" is indeed the antenae . I'd really like to get a better shot of this species so I'll be looking out for them this year for sure.

Bruce

[tristanba]

Hi Bruce,

Certainly is A. depressus - nice find! I've been peeling off bark all year looking for these and have nothing to show for it whatsoever!

Cheers
Tristan

[nutmeg]

Bruce, I hope you don't mind me popping mine in here. I spotted it wandering around on a gooseberry bush in May 08 in my Lincolnshire garden. If I'd appreciated how tricky they are to find (usually in bark) I'd have taken a lot more care over the photo. Instead I seem to recall having a swift shot or two before abandoning it because one of the children needed something.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for adding your pic nutmeg it helps to make sense of the odd antennae view in my photo .

Bruce