Thread subject: Diptera.info :: ??? Nymph
Posted by LordV on 24-09-2006 11:17
#1
Is this a shieldbug nymph?
All of 1.7mm body length- thought it ws a red spider mite when I spotted it on a leaf. Taken recently South Coast uk it was on a bay tree leaf
Brian V.
Posted by Tony Irwin on 24-09-2006 15:42
#2
Hi Brian
This is Homoptera, probably an aphid, or a young coccid.
Posted by LordV on 24-09-2006 19:06
#3
Thanks Tony- pretty certain it's not an aphid but could be a scale insect nymph- there are adult scale insects on the same plant. Is this possible- would a scale insect nymph be totally mobile?
Brian V.
Posted by Tony Irwin on 24-09-2006 20:57
#4
Scale insect nymphs certainly are mobile - they are known as crawlers, and are the primary way in which scales colonise a plant. However I wouldn't dismiss the possibility that this is an aphid just yet. Your beast looks to me more like one of the more aberrant aphids than a scale crawler. If I get a chance next week, I'll chase this up.
Posted by Paul Beuk on 25-09-2006 08:36
#5
I hate to spoli things for you all but this is the nymph of a lacewing (family Coniopteygidae)...
Posted by LordV on 25-09-2006 08:55
#6
Paul- thanks for the ID but I'm mystified- this doesn't look much like the bigger lacewing nymphs I've seen (bristly body and curved pincers bit like ladybird nymphs) ?
Brian V.
Posted by Paul Beuk on 25-09-2006 09:00
#7
Those are Chrysopidae and Hemerobiidae. These little buggers are much smaller and can easily be mistaken for aphids.
Posted by LordV on 25-09-2006 09:05
#8
Ah- nymph of a dusty or waxy winged lacewing ?- have seen the adults in the garden- thanks.
Brian V.
Posted by Tony Irwin on 26-09-2006 00:39
#9
Well, we learn something new on Diptera.info every day! Thanks, Paul.:)