Wildlife - Summer, Autumn 2008

[Gerdk]

Maybe it is the time to change the Wildlife period, at least for the Northern Hemisphere.
Here is a pic from today - made during a walk in the neighbourhood.

Pyrrhocoris apterus - fire bugs

Gerd

[Paddy Tobin]

Completely new to me, Gerd.

What do they do? Kill other creatures? Eat plants? Pester humans?


Paddy

[Gerdk]

Paddy,
They are completely harmless. Mainly they suck from seeds of lindentrees. Some people feel disturbed when a lot of them creep into their rooms.

Gerd

[David Nicholson]

I would certainly be amongst the disturbed

[Maggi Young]

As many of you know, I have been distrurbed for years    and I still wouldn't like these guys in my house. Not too keen on seed-eating bugs.... even if they mostly eat tree seed......I think they'll eat other stuff too... bugs nearly always do, don't they? Alarming that they gather in large numbers, too.
As an aside... the linden trees...limes... are looking great around here just know.... full of bees and the scent of the flowers is lovely

[Lesley Cox]

In NZ, firebug is the term frequently used for the nasty people who light fires in schools, public buildings etc. Arsonists in fact.

Actually, even in the enlarged pic, I thought they WERE the seeds of something. 

[art600]

As an aside... the linden trees...limes... are looking great around here just know.... full of bees and the scent of the flowers is lovely

Maggi

Aren't Limes responsible for the sticky mess when you park your car under them?

[Maggi Young]

Not sure about that, Art, I know sycamores can be a pest in that regard.....not that Ian would ever park our beloved car, Verity, in such an undignified position!!

[TC]

A couple of Dragonflies now on the wing.  I am not certain of the id. of the male as it does not look the same as in my Field Guide, but it does not look like a female  either.  Perhaps our bug specialists could confirm.

[David Nicholson]

Is Anthony still on holiday?

[Maggi Young]

I believe Anthony won't be back for another week...... the filthy gadabout!

[Peter Maguire]

Tom,

I think that the reason your male common darter doesn't match your field guide is that it's actually a female. The book that I use notes that 'ageing female specimens' frequently have a median red streak down the abdomen.

Peter

[David Shaw]

Pyrrhocoris apterus
Sounds like a wizarding spell from Harry Potter

[Maggi Young]

Tom,

I think that the reason your male common darter doesn't match your field guide is that it's actually a female. The book that I use notes that 'ageing female specimens' frequently have a median red streak down the abdomen. Perhaps I'll have to look around carefully when I go to the discussion weekend.

Peter

Steady, Peter.........  I don't think you'll get away with that....         

[Peter Maguire]

Mmmm,

Looking again in the cold light of day (very cold, wet - typical british summer) I decided to modify the post