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 🪲
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 🪲
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 🪲
Mark McCaughrean