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Henosepilachna elaterii / Gourd Ladybird


Henosepilachna elaterii / Gourd Ladybird
Photo Information
Copyright: Marcello Romano (marcellr) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 208 W: 38 N: 1012] (3514)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-05-24
Categories: Insects
Camera: Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Coccinellidae [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-01-31 10:06
Viewed: 7932
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
COLEOPTERA, COCCINELLIDAE

Henosepilachna elaterii (Rossi, 1794)

Common english names: gourd ladybird, melon ladybird.

Ecballium elaterium (Cucurbitaceae) (see WORKSHOP 1) offers an entire habitat for the whole life cycle of Henosepilachna elaterii. This ladybird has orange brown colour with 12 black spots.
They feed and rest on the plant and also mate and hatch their eggs on it. The hatched larvae also feed on the plant on which they later form their pupa. In few words the insect is totally dependent on the plant through its whole life cycle.

Top left…………………………….Larva (see also WORKSHOP 2)
Top right…………………………..Pupa
On the lower left……….......Adult
On the lower right……......…Adult mating

****

Molti di voi conosceranno il cocomero asinino: Ecballium elaterium, una Cucurbitacea (la Famiglia cui appartengono il melone e la zucca) spontanea, diffusa nel Mediterraneo, il cui frutto, quando è maturo (vedi WORKSHOP 1), ha la caratteristica di scoppiare al minimo contatto, lanciando i semi in tutte le direzioni.
Su questa pianta è infeudato un Coleottero Coccinellide molto appariscente, la Henosepilachna elaterii, il cui nome specifico deriva appunto dalla sua stretta preferenza alimentare, anche se si può incontrare sulle Cucurbitacee coltivate.
Sulla pianta si possono incontrare insieme larve e adulti, spesso intenti ad accoppiarsi, con performance talora travolgenti…
Le larve, gialle e irte di spine (vedi anche WORKSHOP 2), cominciano a rodere le foglie dalla pagina inferiore, poi, alla quarta muta, passano alla pagina superiore. In questo stadio sono molto voraci e usano spremere con le mandibole il parenchima fogliare succhiandone la linfa.
La femmina, una volta fecondata, depone gruppi di uova di 25-40, per un totale che va da un minimo di 300, fino a 700 e, a volte, anche più di mille!
In Sicilia si hanno almeno 4 generazioni all'anno, a volte anche 5.
Nella foto in alto a destra si vede una pupa (quella che nelle farfalle è detta crisalide), cioè lo stadio intermedio fra la larva e l'adulto.
Ancora attaccate alla pupa, si vedono le esuvie, cioè le spoglie della larva, che si è trasformata, appunto, in pupa.
fartash, Arjun, Marx44, JoseMiguel, Alex99, crs, mariki has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To batu: Coccinellidae Themamarcellr 1 01-31 10:20
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Marcello
Very intersting collage from this tiny creature :O)
Superb work my friend.

Good Luck
Fartash

  • Great 
  • batu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1079 W: 293 N: 4497] (16383)
  • [2008-01-31 10:11]
  • [+]

Buongiorno Marcello,
a fine compilation of the ladybird developmental stages.
Each picture deserves respect considering the fine details
made visible by your picture. A posted a similar arrangement
of Harmonia axyridis 'lonhg ago'.
I would like to include your collage in my THEME on Coccinellidae.
Best wishes, Peter

  • Great 
  • Arjun Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 358 W: 7 N: 1237] (7593)
  • [2008-01-31 10:13]

Hello Marcello
beautiful captures..lovely collage,all pics are ery informative.
tfs

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 998 W: 65 N: 1270] (5199)
  • [2008-01-31 10:29]

Hello Marcello
What an interesting job with this beautiful ladybird! (the larva and the pupa look a bit disgusting, but they are beautiful in some way too). Excellent focus from a fantastic POV in every picture. Really superb!
Bravo!!
Best regards
Maite

  • Great 
  • Marx44 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 172 W: 97 N: 926] (3891)
  • [2008-01-31 10:59]

Bardzo ciekawa biedronka. Podoba mi siê ta prezentacja

Ciao Marcello,
My compliment towards this excellent composition of Ladybirds in a 4in1 format!
this is what I called super macro with such closeness in perfect sharpness, wonderful colouration and perfect details in each one!
very well done and well pleased indeed
TFS
ciao
Tony

Ciao Marcello,
Amazing collage!
I like a lot the great quality of the 4 images displayed here.
Details and actions on them are very good.
Sharp details, vivid colours and good POVs made of this a unique presentation.
Congratulations and thanks for share it.
My best regards,
JM

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2008-01-31 11:22]

Hi Marcello,
Wonderful collage detailing the life of a Gourd Ladybird. Each image is sharp with nice colours and perfect lighting. Great macros and I like your chosen POVs here. Very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2008-01-31 11:33]

Hi Marcello.
Amazing collage with terrific set of photos. My congratulations. Excellent work.
Every shot is great macro picture. Simply perfect magnification. Stunning details and perfect wide DOF. Lights and colours are superb too. Bravo.
Alexei.

each macros is fine quality
focus, sharpness & light
regards
jo

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2008-01-31 17:07]

Adesso stai esagerando...mi sa che questo sito di dilettanti ti sta un po' stretto..i tuoi lavori meritano qualcosa di piu'...grandissimo..ciao,Luciano

hello marcello,
fine compilation of four good shots of the ladybird insect, liked the colours and composition,
tfs & regards
pankaj

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 469 W: 0 N: 922] (3551)
  • [2008-01-31 23:15]

Hi Marcello,

I like very your idea to do a collage with different stages of development of this insect. All four photos have a well chosen DOF as well as nice natural collors.

Thanks for sharing,
Cristian

Hello Marcello,

Great collage. Every picture is perfect. Great sharpness and wonderful colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

Ciao Marcello, questa sera non hai postato una foto, hai pubblicato un trattato di entmologia al gran completo, corredato da splendide immagini che valgono più di ogni accurata descrizione, tra la composizione a 4 e i ws, anch'essi splendidi, conosciamo tutto di questa coccinella, larva, pupa, esuvie, pianta nutrice attività sessuali, un piccolo appunto, manca la foto delle uova, la prossima volta cerca di essere più accurato:)
Mamma mia quanto sei bravo!
Ciao Silvio

Gran documento Marcello, de gran realismo y naturalidad en los colores.
Excelente trabajo.

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