A couple more for id

rowanalder · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2011, 07:21 PM

Hi guys,

Anyone know what these are? The Aphodius sp. was around 5mm in length and the elytra were a little bit lighter brown than shown in the picture.

Cheers,

Ro

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2011, 07:46 PM

You have the specimen, and fortunately the RES have converted the Scarabaeidae book to PDF. Go to http://www.royensoc.co.uk/sites/defa...l05_Part11.pdf

The second is the Water-Cricket, Velia caprai.

Klaas Reißmann · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-2011, 08:29 PM

Hi Rowan,

the photo is by far to dark. I can't tell if it is the common Aphodius prodromus, one of the similar species oder maybe Aphodius contaminatus.

Regards
Klaas

rowanalder · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-2011, 12:27 PM

Hi guys,

Jason, thanks for the id of the Water-cricket, never seen an insect like it before. I downloaded the RES Handbook a while ago but am struggling to get to grips with it especially the Aphodius genera.

Klaas, sorry about the image quality, shouldn't have uploaded that one. I took another today hopefully this one will be more clear.

Cheers,

Ro

Klaas Reißmann · #5 (**permalink**) 11-10-2011, 01:45 PM

Hi Rowan,

that's much better: Aphodius prodromus.

Regards
Klaas

rowanalder · #6 (**permalink**) 11-10-2011, 02:05 PM

Hi Klaas,

Thanks for the Id.

Cheers,

Ro

Klaas Reißmann · #7 (**permalink**) 11-10-2011, 09:33 PM

You're welcome...

Jason Green · #8 (**permalink**) 11-10-2011, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowanalder

Looks like a good presentation, like the erect palps which should be helpful if required. What problems did you have? I never see any Aphodius - oh no I saw one, but never usually.

rowanalder · #9 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 06:44 PM

Hi guys,

Cheers Klaas.

Jason, I diddn't have to do much to this chap, I put it into the killing jar and the next day I found it on it's back with everything in position including its palps. Had to do a few minor adjustments mind. Shame it is missing one of its antennae.

Just little things as usual, particulally when it comes to the elytra and minor differences in them. Like the new RES keys it would be great if every step was illustrated next to the couplets to show these differences.

I regularly see A. rufipes whilst moth trapping. Only found two other species, often I find them while i'm on the farm. This chap came from a friends stable yard when we were cider pressing haha.

Jason Green · #10 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowanalder

Just little things as usual, particulally when it comes to the elytra and minor differences in them. Like the new RES keys it would be great if every step was illustrated next to the couplets to show these differences.

A number of features need to be defined by a selection of related specimens. Such differences are then obvious. I think one example is in the comparative-length of the elytra; one solution would be the ratio between width and length of an elytron, but of course then you may get something like 1:075 (I think... been a long day! ), when a specimen to compare it with would obviously say it's unusually long or not.

Wait for the upcoming AIDGAP key on Chrysomelidae - that has line-illustrations, which really helped with a Flea-beetle - the difference was in the severity of a bump-like structure on the elytra - the illustration really simplified the next stage. Send me a PM with your email address, I think I have a test-key on my hard-drive somewhere.