Rhynocoris annulatus, Heesch, Netherlands

Head detail at 5x macro of this assassin bug.

I'm quite upset with myself on how I handled this one. This is a very beautiful insect with vivid orange bands yet I failed to visualize other angles due to huge issues in positioning, stacking overlaps, plus the subject being very dirty, covered in sand. The dutch name "Geringde roofwants" roughly translates to Ringed Predatory Bug.

To fully appreciate this insect, check this full body shot:
https://images.naturalis.nl/original/118106_rhynocoris_annulatusdsc_1821.jpg

comments (10)

Christine Young

Lion

A beautiful bug for sure! Have you tried brushing the dirt off with a small paintbrush? Or, maybe try using canned air? Posted 5 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks! Canned air does not work for hairy subjects. The one I have is very powerful yet still does not remove anything at all. I also have a manual pump-like air dispenser which is equally useless.
  
  I think these type of solutions would work with dust/sand on a smooth surface, but in my experience they don't do anything when the dust is stuck in hair, which is usually the case. Posted 5 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Bummer. You could get an ultrasonic cleaner and then follow up with isopropanol and a blow dry? Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Yes, that is probably the solution, read about it before on the FB group. To be honest, I'm also applying some self constraint, as my current somewhat primitive process already is a huge time drain and I'm not too eager to make it even longer :) Posted 5 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        I don't blame you. And, there's always the risk of ruining specimens during the cleaning process. Personally, I would skip the added work as well. There is only so much time. Posted 5 years ago
      2. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Thanks, there's always the healing brush in Photoshop :) Posted 5 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Haha - there is your solution! Posted 5 years ago

Pudding4brains

Lion

Impressive bug - hurts me to admit I've never found one myself ... (yet)
For cleaning maybe try a small, soft paintbrush with the specimen in a bath of white gas (wasbenzine) [_not_ white spirit (terpentine)] Posted 5 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks for the tip, please see my reply to Christine above.
  
  Please don't see it as a rejection of the help, I'm just trying to stay sane. Posted 5 years ago
2. 1. Pudding4brains
    
    Lion
    
    Yes, very good ... best you stay sane ... we can use that here :-D Posted 5 years ago