Suspected Cicada Found

[NadsF]

It is still alive at the mo but will contact the natural history museum and see if they would like him. He has travelled a long way

[ceterach]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Sadly it does show how nurseries importing plants can bring in all sorts of alien species, some which may end up as invasive nasties that threaten our native species,

Surely this is the important point here. It might be mildly interesting to find an alien species but I bet there were people who said that when they first spotted bark beetles that brought in Dutch Elm disease.

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Wow excellent find!
but on the upside we do sometimes get to see some species we wouldn't otherwise

I am tempted to say so what! I cannot see that as an upside.

I am sorry to seem grumpy but the effects of alien species on our native fauna and flora are all too common and obvious. This is just evidence of the lack of control we have over their importation despite being aware of the dangers.

[NadsF]

You have some valid points Ceerach but can this discussion go on a seperate post? I have found the Cicada so it is in custody so to speak and I have contacted the natural history museum to report it.

Do not know who else to notify but if you do then please let me know.

I find it very interesting when a species you do not know about shows up but unfortunately it is not widely know what to do in these instances. I think I am doing the best I can.

[Wild-Woman]

Interesting find and thread. There's all sorts of invertebrates imported into this country through nurseries. It's great to see that you acted quickly and took some stunning close ups of the exuvia and adult so that it was identified.
Most foreign inverts won't survive our climate in any case so I think you've done well to get this one checked out promptly.

[Acutipuerilis]

I'm not actually aware of many species that have come into the country recently (and become established) that have not done so under their own steam. I know there are some serious pests as examples, but the majority of those are cosmopolitan pests that are virtually impossible to stop (the harlequin regularly flies in, I'm sure, and the recent arrival of Leptoglossus occidentalis was certainly a natural invasion). The more exotic colonists have to appear in significantly large numbers in the same place to create a viable population, and they have to be well enough suited to our conditions and biota to be able to multiply. It doesn't seem to happen often, on balance - think of all those spiders that come in on bananas and never get established.

Species lists for an area are always changing, and the UK biota is one of the most mongrel of all - we're not that much of an island, after all! I think I'd say to be wary but not paranoid - even among the invaders that do settle in, few do any serious harm. There are several new hemipterans recognised in the UK per year at the moment, but most of them are going completely unnoticed.

[NadsF]

Thanks guys - the adult has died but I have offered both the adult and shed skin to the natural history museum so will see what happens from here.


Hubby is worried they will confiscate his tree lol.