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Coptosoma obtusiceps
Coptosoma obtusiceps Stål, 1871. For me this bug is very interesting. For years, I could not identify it because I kept running into Megacopta cribraria, an almost identical Plataspid which is not present in the Philippines. It was eventually identified for me by arne.roysland. Since then, when I come across any more specimens, I always try to find another reference. I have never come across any other confirmation of its presence in Philippines until today. This new reference is very unusual and I have entered the details in Notes below.
Spotted in our front yard on a Hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) locally called Bataw. Plant identification - http://www.stuartxchange.org/Bataw
The reference I have just found for this bug is a book which lists insect pests intercepted at ports. The book can be read as an E book or downloaded for printing. I have not yet downloaded or printed it, but the short abstract mentions that there have been three airport interceptions of Coptosoma obtusiceps found in passengers luggage. From the little I have read, It appears that outward bound passengers at Manila Airport were carrying various fruits and unknown to them, there were some C. obtusiceps in the fruits It just shows how important the work of customs officers can be in preventing the spread of serious pests from country to country. Of course, for me it is another solid confirmation (in addition to the one supplied by arne.roysland) of this bug's presence in Philippines Here is the reference: https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=DIg...
Spotted on May 6, 2023
Submitted on Jun 30, 2023
2 Comments
Thank you for your comment, Sukanya. You are right, I think we all become frustrated by baggage inspections, but they are indeed important. John B.
Love your notes. Sometimes we get impatient when customs official seem to take forever but THIS is proof of the importance of what they do.