Shield Bug (metamorphose)

Discussion in 'Member's Gallery' started by songlim18, Apr 9, 2011.

  1. songlim18

    songlim18 Seedling

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    I cant wait to share with you this series of images. A friend spotted this small shield bug (some call it stink bug) along a canal near a reservoir. It is unique to me because of its shape and colour. I have not seen one like this (but later I know why).




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    ( photo / image / picture from songlim18's Garden )


    Within a short time, it started to change. I wonder why it turned yellow because it was not when I first saw it. I knew then it was molting.






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    ( photo / image / picture from songlim18's Garden )
     
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  3. Kildale

    Kildale Nature's Window

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    Those are a couple of great images, what a piece of luck to see that.
     
  4. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    I've seen many shield bugs but never been privileged enough to see one moulting as you did. Excellent shots Songlim!! :D
     
  5. Frank

    Frank GardenStew Founder Staff Member Administrator

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    How fast was the emergence SongLim? Did you have to sit and wait? Magnificent photo.
     



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  6. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    Wow!! Great pictures and excellent timing.

    Jerry
     
  7. songlim18

    songlim18 Seedling

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    Timing and lots of luck play a part too.
     
  8. songlim18

    songlim18 Seedling

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    Thanks Eileen. What time of shield bug u have in your country?
     
  9. songlim18

    songlim18 Seedling

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    I did not time it but I gathered the moment we spotted it till the moment it emerged was about 15 minutes. At one point it was moving back and forth on the twig as if to position itself before it molts. It was very cool to see it happening there and then. I read that it actually molt 5 times before it finally became an adult.
     
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  10. songlim18

    songlim18 Seedling

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    Thanks Jerry. I was lucky.
     
  11. songlim18

    songlim18 Seedling

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    [​IMG]
    ( photo / image / picture from songlim18's Garden )


    The legs are out of its exoskeleton.
     
  12. cherylad

    cherylad Countess of Cute-ification Plants Contributor

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    Excellent photos! Must have been thrilling to watch. Great job and thanks for showing them here.
     
  13. daisybeans

    daisybeans Hardy Maple

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    That is an awesome series of pics. I really enjoy seeing this. I'm glad your camera was handy.
     
  14. EJ

    EJ Allotmenteer Extraordinaire

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    Wow. I get a lot of shield bugs on my raspberries in summer, but have never seen one shedding it's skin.
     
  15. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    I'm not too sure just how many species of shield bugs we have here in the UK Songlim.
    Here are some that I know we have though:

    Common green
    Southern green
    Woundwort
    Hawthorn
    Forest
    Sloe
    Birch

    There are probably many more that I'm just not familiar with.
     

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