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Project Noah Nature School
Harmonia conformis
Still with buckled wing covers this ladybird is almost fully out of it's pupal case.Torn remnants of the case can be seen behind the abdomen.
In a local nature reserve.
A bit like giving birth to yourself.
Spotted on Nov 27, 2013
Submitted on Nov 30, 2013
5 Comments
It looks like she has popped the buttons on her girdle :)
My failures in stock that I breed is mainly due to drying out and the shell gets too tough. Wild insects must have many more challenges.
Very interesting stuff Martin. I wonder how often they get stuck.
Mark, I wonder if this ladybird beetle is stuck in this exuvia and has been there for some time. I have recently watched one emerge over several hours and taken a series of images over that time. I make the following observations; firstly, they emerge without spots (except for the thorax and these appear later over several hours. Secondly the elytra are already smooth. I assume ours are the same species and even if not, these patterns should be similar. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/639... What do you think?
Thanks Maria. I really should wear my reading specs as I had no idea what this was until I got home. :-)
Great capture!