Fire bug lookalikes?

loripo · #1 (**permalink**) 06-04-2011, 06:35 PM

Took a walk through Battersea park herb garden today and saw lots of ladybirds on a rosa rugosa. I then saw a very red bug that from the side looked like an elongated ladybird and with a closer look I thought I had seen a fire bug! Knowing this was unlikely I checked online when I got home. (It dropped off the leaf as I went for my camera). A check on the site that dares not be named - you know the one

- suggested Arocatus longiceps which it wasn't as I know them well and another - which I can't recall but didn't look like what I saw. It had the definate 'eyes' but was a more ladybird red colour than the fire bug photos usually show.
So what might it be?
I'll be going back asap for a hunt round, bcause this is bugging me

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-04-2011, 07:09 PM

Without a photo difficult to tell. What about Corizus hyoscami which occasionally turns up?

loripo · #3 (**permalink**) 06-04-2011, 07:53 PM

Thanks - that's a possible - it was quite elongated as compared to the fire bug photos I've seen. Do we get these recorded in London?

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-04-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loripo

Thanks - that's a possible - it was quite elongated as compared to the fire bug photos I've seen. Do we get these recorded in London?

Occasionally- I think most seem to be transitory. I'm sure Tristan can give a better reply as the recorder for these insects.

tristanba · #5 (**permalink**) 06-04-2011, 08:38 PM

How big was it? Both Firebug and Corizus are large (c1cm). Although I don't know of any records of Corizus from so near the centre of London, it seems to be moving further inland each year. It is rather elongate in shape. Firebug remains a great rarity in the UK, but individuals and even colonies could potentially turn up anywhere. Certainly worth keeping your eyes peeled!

loripo · #6 (**permalink**) 06-04-2011, 08:55 PM

I thought about 8/9 mm. Will definately being having another look round. I wasn't sure if it dropped or flew off. It was quite a bright red, not the orangey colour I see in photos.
(The group that look after this garden are from the Thrive charity that work with disabled people. They bring lots of plant material in all the time and they have a number of sites they use, so I suppose whatever it is could have been transported in.)