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Photography with cameras
Nikon D3x, Nikon D300, Canon 50D
Image editing with Photoshop |
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| | | | Andromeda lace bug | | The andromeda lace bug (Stephanitis takeyai) in the order Hemiptera, suborder Heteroptera (sometimes known as ‘true bugs’), and in the infraorder? Cimicomorpha belongs to the family Tingidae and to the genus Stephanitis. This species originally came from Japan but has spread to Europe, and was first discovered in Germany in 2002. Andromeda lace bugs reproduce in large numbers. | | |
| | | | Adult specimens can reach body lengths of 3-4 mm. The surface of? their flattened upper body has a lattice-like? structure. They have wax glands, the secretions of which make the surface appear like being powdered. The head of the andromeda lace bug is nearly hidden (under a big, black, bullet-shaped bubble on the neck) . Their antennae are an important identifying characteristic. Their simple eyes (Ocelli) are round and small. | | |
| | | | The five-sided Pronotum has a (triangular shaped) keel-like ridge, is extended to the rear body, and covers the scutellum (small triangular plate behind the pronotum). The front wings are transparent, shimmering in every colour, and almost cover the entire body. The wings show two very dark ribbons. The membranes are difficult to see under the lattice-like structure of the wings. | | |
| | | The andromeda lace bug is only seen in daytime and feeds on plants (phytophagous). As it is not inclined to move much , it is mainly found on the undersides of the leaves of the host plants. It sucks fluid from the leaves’ cells , which causes the leaves to yellow and eventually fall off. Thus the whole plant loses its leaves from top to bottom . Often the host plants die. Some examples of the plants which the andromeda lace bug prefers to eat are : heather species (Ericaceae), Illiciaceae, rhododendron and azalea (rhododendron spp.) as well as some plants of the family Ebenaceae. | | |
| | | The andromeda lace bug can multiply in large numbers and appears en masse. The bugs cause mottling on the leaves of plants. Egg-laying is carried out with the aid of an ovipositor. The eggs are very small and transparent and are sunk deep in the leaves’ tissue (usually on the underside). The eggs overwinter there. | | |
| | | The larvae hatch in spring (April or May), although the timing depends on the weather. They feed on the same plants as the adults. Their upper body is covered with spikes of different lengths, which sometimes split into two. The lattice-like structure on the surface of the body (which is characteristic of the species) is not yet apparent on the bodies of the larvae. Like the adult bugs, they are covered with waxy secretions from their glands which make their surface look powdered. The development of the larvae takes place in 5 stages and takes 20 to 70 days depending on climatic conditions Flying larvae are rarely seen. The larvae are not very eager to move and often hide in small cavities or between parts of plants, and when disturbed, show little inclination to leave. The andromeda lace bug is primarily regarded as a crop pest by humans. | | |
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| | Description of images / photos
Photography with Cameras
Nikon D3x, Nikon D300, Canon 50D
Image editing with Photoshop | | 1. | Andromeda lace bug - Stephanitis takeyai | | 2. | Stephanitis takeyai | | 3. | Andromeda lace bug |
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