Mark McCaughrean

Spring is very much upon us.

First up today, a new one for me: a planthopper nymph, Issus coleoptratus (Echte Käferzikade in 🇩🇪).

Nymphs of this species were the first insects found to have working gears – they're at the base of the hind legs & keep things in sync when they jump ⚙️

They lose them though when they moult into adults 🤷‍♂️

#Heidelberg 🏰
#Photography 📷️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️
#BugOfTheDay 🐞
#MacroPhotography 🔬
#InsectsOfMastodon 🪰
#BackGardenEntomology 🪲

Mar 22 at 10:02pmWeb
Show threadMark McCaughrean3d ago

Second, some better pictures of the nymph stage of Penthimia nigra (Mönchszikade in 🇩🇪), a leafhopper that turns a dramatic black & red as an adult.

I was happy to be able to get sharper pictures, including the eyes.

#Heidelberg 🏰
#Photography 📷️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️
#BugOfTheDay 🐞
#MacroPhotography 🔬
#InsectsOfMastodon 🪰
#BackGardenEntomology 🪲

Show threadMark McCaughrean3d ago

And finally, a couple of adults.

First, a mottled shield bug (Rhaphigaster nebulosa; Gartenwanze in 🇩🇪), more yellow-green than the grey one I saw recently.

Second, a harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis, Asiatischer Marienkäfer). They're extremely variable & this is a heavily-spotted, oranger variation, but as ever, the M-shape on the head is the giveaway.

#Heidelberg 🏰
#Photography 📷️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️
#BugOfTheDay 🐞
#MacroPhotography 🔬
#InsectsOfMastodon 🪰
#BackGardenEntomology 🪲

Show thread𝔸𝕟𝕔𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕊𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕤 🔉3d ago
@markmccaughrean
This one's a bit cuter. I'll take your word for it about the eyes
Show threadMark McCaughrean3d ago
@ancientsounds Near the front / top, close to the bottom of the head. Has a v-shaped white rim on the lower side, & the reddish-brown eye with a blacker centre is clearly compound.
Show thread𝔸𝕟𝕔𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕊𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕤 🔉3d ago
@markmccaughrean
OK I can see the V-shaped white rim but after that it gets a bit fuzzy. But it's also 11 pm on a Sunday! Appreciating the entomology, and night night
Show thread𝔸𝕟𝕔𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕊𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕤 🔉3d ago

@markmccaughrean
Super interesting!
I found this pop sci article:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/this-insect-has-the-only-mechanical-gears-ever-found-in-nature-6480908/

This Insect Has The Only Mechanical Gears Ever Found in Nature

The small hopping insect Issus coleoptratus uses toothed gears on its joints to precisely synchronize the kicks of its hind legs as it jumps forward

Smithsonian Magazine
Show threadMark McCaughrean3d ago
@ancientsounds Excellent – thanks 👍