Ground bug

- No description given -

comments (6)

Pudding4brains

Lion

Howdy, strictly speaking this one cannot be identified between equestris and simulans from this image. Maybe we should create a double species Lygaeus equestris/simulans or Lygaeus equestris s.l. for these cases.
If you ever find it again please take very good pictures of the head structure around the base of the antennae and of the hairs on the scutellum Posted 8 years ago
1. WildFlower
  
  Lion
  
  OK, thanks.
  What do you mean by the head structure around the base of the antennae? Posted 8 years ago
2. 1. Pudding4brains
    
    Lion
    
    The shape of the base of the antenne where it joins the head is slightly different (wider in simulans), even on the nymphs this is already recognizable such as indicated in this image:
    http://insektenfotos.de/forum/index.php?page=Attachment&attachmentID=158571
    
    You will find more useful info on the two linked here
    http://waarneming.nl/soort/info/25299?lang=nl
    
    Especially check out the PDF by Rabitsch & Deckert (2008):
    http://www.biologiezentrum.at/pdf_frei_remote/BEF_8_0212-0218.pdf
    
    The nymphs are usually (not always) easier to tell apart, see the images we created here:
    http://insektenfotos.de/forum/index.php?page=Thread&postID=240271#post240271
    Posted 8 years ago
  2. 1. WildFlower
      
      Lion
      
      Thanks for the links. The descriptions are in Dutch and German and I don't understand them. I have found others, including the description of Lygaeus equestris from Wikipedia - This species is very difficult to differentiate from Lygaeus simulans, that has a scutellum with long bristles, antennae with angulous tubercles and a larger red area on the head.
      When I zoom my image and take a closer look, I don't see any obvious longer bristles on the scutellum. As for the red spot on the head - it is more confusing and not as clearly defined as on some of the references. Maybe it is Lygaeus equestris after all?
      https://www.jungledragon.com/image/11590/ground_bug.html/zoom
      http://www.naturamediterraneo.com/Public/data9/levent/20162149430_Lygaeus%20simulans_equestris.jpg
      http://macroid.ru/showphoto.php?photo=46072
      https://digitum.um.es/jspui/bitstream/10201/2061/1/AB17%20%281991%29%20p%2023-28.pdf Posted 8 years ago
    2. 1. Pudding4brains
        
        Lion
        
        The notes on the colour markings on the head (as well as pronotum?) are mostly wishful thinking, I suspect (too variable). Look at the two heads on this collage - no difference in the red/black area. Yet the base of the antenna is diagnostic(!) and shows me these are indeed the two species:
        http://macroid.ru/showphoto.php?photo=46072
        
        The only reliable external characters I know so far, are the antenna base and the hairs on the scutellum where simulans has extra longer and erect hairs intermixed with the normal pubescens. Look at the images on page 214 here:
        http://www.zobodat.at/pdf/BEF_8_0212-0218.pdf
        Very hard to tell from most photos!!
        Your images may well show equestris, but it is very, very hard to see - most convincing argument is that I don't see the antennal pedestals protruding and I _think_ I should just about see that if this were simulans. This is why I didn't change the ID ;o)
        I just wanted to let you know, mostly so that next time you can try to focus on these details...
        Cheers! Posted 8 years ago, modified 8 years ago
      2. WildFlower
        
        Lion
        
        Thanks! I'll try to get a better close-up next time. Posted 8 years ago