Bug - Acalypta parvula?

[JRsbugs]

Hi,

This looks like Acalypta parvula to me, approx. 2mm long found at the base of my wall nearing nightfall. I have moss! This one is said to be the most common of the genus, but I wonder just how common they are in general. I imagine they are not easy to find. There's no records on the NBN gateway near me. I was lucky to find it as it was very dull and nearing nightfall, was coming inside but decided to have a last look as that's when some things come out.

Janet

[tristanba]

Certainly is Janet - nice find This is said to be a common bug but I've not come across one yet. They are very small and unobtrusive and as you say, moss-dwelling. I wouldn't take NBN too seriously for Hemiptera, even the data coverage for large and distinctive shieldbugs is very incomplete.

Cheers
Tristan

[JRsbugs]

Thanks Tristan, I see there is an entry already in the Insect reference section so I can add a pic!

Yes I agree about the nbn, but it would be sort of nice to add a few more dots to Lincolnshire, lol, it's still quite devoid of insects on there.

Now, to find these, you need to stare at your wall for hours on end, any weather when it's not raining. Near the bottom is best for many tiny things, you wouldn't believe what I've been finding an a small section of my south wall between the door and the west side. It all started with Luffia, now I have about 20 babies, lol.

[Acutipuerilis]

Well done, Janet! I've had this one twice, both times beaten from small trees(!), but only one critter at a time. I've always struggled finding the moss-dwelling ones as well, especially the tiny things. There's got to be some technique without resorting to shoving masses of it down a Tullgren Funnel...

[JRsbugs]

Thanks Joe, I came across yours on flickr, a good set of pics you have there. I had to look up Tullgren Funnel, I think that's maybe a bit overstated lol! But does it work with a 2mm bug?? I'm trying to imagine a gauze which would allow that size through without the soil dropping through too!

Tullgren funnel A device used to extract small invertebrate animals from a dry soil sample. The sample is placed in a container with a base made from gauze with a mesh designed to hold soil particles but permit the animals to pass. The container is arranged over a funnel, with a light above. The heat causes the animals to move away from the top of the sample, through the gauze sheet and into the funnel from which they can be collected. Most species are collected after two hours, but complete extraction takes two-three days.

Tullgren funnel - What is a(n) Tullgren funnel | Encyclopedia.com: Dictionary of Zoology