Bug - Rhopalidae Rhopalus sp.?

[JRsbugs]

Hi,

Taken on 12th August 2009, well camouflaged on a mottly Geranium robertianum leaf. It doesn't fit the only two Rhopalus species I have found pics of, R. subrufus or R. parumpunctatus. There are 4 British Rhopalus species and this certainly looks like a Rhopalus to me.

Janet

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Janet,

I'm pretty sure it's still Rhopalus subrufus. Note the dark red-white border to the abdomen - looks a good confirmation character to me, albeit the black markings being a different shape.

I agree it looks different, so thanks for sharing

Take care,

Jason

[JRsbugs]

Hi Jason,

The lacking character in R. subrufus is a mentioned on the reliable site for bugs,

The pronotum lacks a pale midline.

Mine has a pale midline!

[Jason Green]

...indeed it does, but before that it says:

R. subrufus can be distinguished by the alternate dark and light bands on the connexivum

Interesting to hear from the experts on this. I have my money on R. subrufus still. Just natural variation I guess.

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

...indeed it does, but before that it says:



Interesting to hear from the experts on this. I have my money on R. subrufus still. Just natural variation I guess.

That could be true of many other bugs though Jason!

In identifying ANY creature, ALL identifying characters should be taken into account. That in my book would include the lack of a pale stripe on the pronotum.

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

That could be true of many other bugs though Jason!

In identifying ANY creature, ALL identifying characters should be taken into account. That in my book would include the lack of a pale stripe on the pronotum.

In the lack of any other Rhopalid matching quite so well, I'll stick to my guns. It looks pale all over though, so the line looks more pronounced in my opinion. I have a feeling it's teneral, newly-hatched.

See this image on Flickr, by WAB's own Asheleaf: Rhopalus subrufus on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Note the connexivum - dark/light alternate markings, and especially the red patches on the wings.

Still Rhopalus subrufus

[tristanba]

This is a teneral subrufus so it hasn't quite darkened up yet - see the pinkish spots on the wing membrane. The most important character for identifying this sp is the bifid pale-tipped scutellum which is clearly visible.

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by tristanba

This is a teneral subrufus so it hasn't quite darkened up yet - see the pinkish spots on the wing membrane. The most important character for identifying this sp is the bifid pale-tipped scutellum which is clearly visible.

Thanks Tristan. I wasn't going to make any rash guesses!

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by tristanba

This is a teneral subrufus so it hasn't quite darkened up yet - see the pinkish spots on the wing membrane. The most important character for identifying this sp is the bifid pale-tipped scutellum which is clearly visible.

Thanks Tristan - my money was safe!

Just goes to show how important it is to perhaps check out the different instars when you find a species that looks familiar but differs to a degree.

An interesting thread I thought.

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Thanks Tristan - my money was safe!

Just goes to show how important it is to perhaps check out the different instars when you find a species that looks familiar but differs to a degree.

An interesting thread I thought.

It's a good job your money was virtual then Jason! Given the difficulty of these bugs I would not put my money on anything without evidence!