Other red devils - Seed borers

Post by **MWP admin** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 4:16 pm

I have encountered these red and black insects (c. 5mm), poking into the pockets of Abutilon theophrasti fruit, most probably to feed in the seeds inside.

I would like to know the species pls!

Conchiolin · Post by **Conchiolin** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:39 pm

Now what the hell is that?

May be a soldier bug or ground bug.

Definitely heteroptera due to their shape and they have that nasty beak. Looked on both books but found nothing.

My nearest guess would be a fire bug but it's probably not. Any ideas?

Nice close-ups and details of the bugs are well visible.

RB · Post by RB » Sun Sep 09, 2007 11:05 pm

AFAIK referred to (as you say) fire bugs?

These bugs tend to cover some tree branches and enter ths seed pods, particularly of http://trees.stanford.edu/ENCYC/LAGUNARIApa.htm , I have one of these grown from seed which is now about 10m high and which at this time of year it is unwise to stand under, some branches are literally covered with these bugs in numbers of several thousand, sometimes they detach from the branch "in one piece" and several hundreds come crashing down on your head

RB

Post by **MWP admin** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:27 am

Nice Link RB regards the encyclopaedia and good warning suggestion too!

Thanks for sharing.

Yes they must be a kind of firebug, some of the smaller versions.

Conchiolin · Post by **Conchiolin** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:54 am

I got' em guys they are not listed in any book but if found them on this interesting site about heteroptera.

They are Oxycarenus lavaterae.

Check this out yourselves:
http://images.google.com.mt/imgres?imgu ... t%26sa%3DN

They do congregate in large populations and they pierce with their beak and suck. They may be a pest especially on fruits etc...

Post by **MWP admin** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 9:17 am

Congratulations!!

I already see you as insecto-expert in few years time. The website gives you more popularity!