[ID] Rhapalidae: Liorhyssus hyalinus?

[Jason Green]

Afternoon all,

Following a quick visit to a nice site I haven't been to for a couple of years, I found my first-ever Adonis Ladybird, and then I believe the Rhopalid Liorhyssus hyalinus present in both adult and nymph-form.

25/08/10

Hippodamia variegata and Liorhyssus hyalinus

Anyone care to confirm?

Take care,

Jason

[JRsbugs]

Adonia variegata seems to be the name used here for the Ladybird, I agree with that but you have put the bug's name under the picture! I had it in July 2008 but haven't seen it lately.

The bug, I've looked carefully at pics and come to a conclusion which might not be correct! That is Stictopleurus punctatonervosus.

The main reason is the pattern I can see near the anterior edge of the pronotum, which seems to fit the 'half circles' at either edge.

There are a few things which don't quite look to match that, such as the angled shape of the pronotum near the anterior, and the scutellum doesn't look too have the pronounced spatulate tip. The patterned sides to the connexivum are not visible either. I put all these things down to maybe the angle, and/or maybe it's newly emerged as the new generation is complete by August.

All else aside, that pattern on the pronotum does look correct to me for Stictopleurus punctatonervosus.

Janet

[Jason Green]

Thanks Janet! I've been considering an odd Stictopleurus too - but I've already had that and it's about 20-30% bigger than these - the abdomen also looks too narrow under the wing-membrane to accomodate the black-white conexivum (I've spelt that wrong, I know ). The nymphs look different as well - in my opinion, anyway!!

The wings extend far beyond the tip of the abdomen, which is the main reason I was considering Liorhyssus - they were on Composite plants which would fit too as would the smaller size. Also, would a second-generation be breeding? There were both first-instar and mid-ones too.

I went back today and improved on the photos, and will upload later.

Thanks for looking!

[JRsbugs]

I have to say it bears a good resemblance to Liorhyssus hyalinus.

Having the nymphs present doesn't necessarily mean they are the same species, but I'm sure you know that.

More photos are in order, maybe Joe will give his views then. You need a closer view of the pronotum to view those marks near the anterior edge I think.

[JRsbugs]

Hey Jason, I found a pic of some Liorhyssus hyalinus nymphs

Your nymph could be a younger version of Stictopleurus punctatonervosus maybe? I can't find another nymph pic of that.

[Jason Green]

I'll get the photos on soon. As for nymphs:

Stictopleurus punctatonervosus: - www.galerie-insecte.org (seems hairy)

Liorhyssus hyalinus: - www.galerie-insecte.org (has a pale midline laterally along the head/pronotum)

...barr mis-identifications. I'm truly open to both suggestions, and can accept this long-winged one being a form of Strictopleurus - it's just that if it is, I'd still expect the more regular-looking ones to be there too which they aren't - just good numbers of these.

[JRsbugs]

There's a pic of a heap of the nymphs of Liorhyssus hyalinus on that site..

- www.galerie-insecte.org

One thing which hit me in the eye is the venation on the 'wings' near where the corium hits the bottom part.. it shows up well in this pic, yours doesn't have that.

- www.galerie-insecte.org

[Jason Green]

...yes, quite obviously missing. Maybe that rules it out - but I'd love to know why these look so odd!

[Jason Green]

The photos as promised:

26/08/10

Adults

26/08/10

Nymphs - inc. first instar

26/08/10

Their Composite-plant habitat

Hope these help with 'guaging' it!

[JRsbugs]

You know Jason, I think we should be looking in Lygaeidae!