Fat Harleqin Ladybird

[Bruce Williams]

Stony Straford, Bucks. Ist November.

There were maybe a couple of hundred Harlequins wandering around the tunnel entrance (under the A5 near nature reserve) . Most were extremely fat and healthy looking and I would estimate that at least 20% had the six spot zig-zag markings and light pronotum shown in the photo below. The most common type were black with four red spots.



Bruce

[poschiavanus]

Originally Posted by Bruce Williams

Stony Straford, Bucks. Ist November.

There were maybe a couple of hundred Harlequins wandering around the tunnel entrance (under the A5 near nature reserve) . Most were extremely fat and healthy looking and I would estimate that at least 20% had the six spot zig-zag markings and light pronotum shown in the photo below. The most common type were black with four red spots.



Bruce

I suspect that this is a Cream-streaked Ladybird H. 4-punctata, freshly-emerged so spots not fully developed. Here's one I noted on the WAB Clumber Park Fungus foray:



The pattern on the top of the head and the pronotum are different from the Harlequin, which always has the sides of the pronotum completely white whatever the colour morph. There looks to be a dark spot forming in this location on the one in your picture. Paul M can no doubt confirm.

PS. These are conifer specialists.

[Jason Green]

What a superb photograph+depth-of-field.

[fairplay]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

What a superb photograph+depth-of-field.

Agreed, really impressive, so is there any chance of knowing what lens was used ?

Neil.

[Africa]

Amazing shot! I do think it is a Harlequin, they have a pair of characteristic bumps at the rear of the elithra that are nicely shown in profile in your shot. Very pale specimen though.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by fairplay

Agreed, really impressive, so is there any chance of knowing what lens was used ?

Neil.

I was wondering the same and if you use software to enhance your shots in any way, Bruce..

[poschiavanus]

Originally Posted by Africa

Amazing shot! I do think it is a Harlequin, they have a pair of characteristic bumps at the rear of the elithra that are nicely shown in profile in your shot. Very pale specimen though.

Hmm, I did notice those so should have plumped for Harlequin too!

Also checking cream-streaked the middle row of spots are in a row, whereas in the Harlequin the one closest to the elytral suture is slightly forward of the other two (just as in this one). I've now seen one or two other pictures with similar markings, including the hint of a dark patch on the sides of the pronotum. And of course the legs are brown, another Harlequin give away.

I knew I felt tired last night, now I know I really was! Forgot t osay what a super picture too!

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for your interest and very encouraging comments everyone.

You know, I really wish it had been a Cream-streaked as I've yet to see one - and looking at your pic Jerry I can certainly see the similarity in markings. As I said in my op, there were about 40 individuals with this type of marking mingling with another 160 or more of the more common (in this area anyway) markings.

This is a real hot spot for Harlequins - for the last three years I've seen agregations of 1,000 or more around the tunnel entrance (nothing like that number at the moment).

The posted image is a hand held focus-stack of 6 shots, stacked with Zerene Stacker - plus the usual levels adjustment and USM in Photoshop. Camera is a Nikon D300 with 105mm Macro VR lens + 20mm Kenko extension tube.

Bruce

[poschiavanus]

It's odd when I first found a Harlequin I spent ages mugging up on the ID features, now I pay them hardly any attention as in the field they have such an obvious jizz. It's always useful to have this sort of knowledge pulled back to the front on the mind!

I think I still only see the spectabilis and succinea forms, so might have to check these red ones without the obvious 'M' on the pronotum.

[Kayleigh]

Cheers Bruce, always amazing and interesting shots..
I bet mags would be really interested in your work.