Numerous batches of red eggs found on Prickly Lettuce Lactua serriola
at Ordsall, Retford in late August 2022, were taken home for rearing to
determine species. Succesful rearing eventually produced adults which
had already been identified during the nymph stages as Liorhyssus
hyalinus, which was believed new to Nottinghamshire at the time.
The lower two photographs show the colouration typical of those reared
in captivity, but the specimen in the upper two photographs was found at
Ordsall in September 2022.
Numerous nymphs were then found on Sow Thistle Sonchus
oleracea at Eakring, so this Rhopalid Bug must be fairly widespread
in the county, probably preferring brownfield sites, the rough edges of
fields etc, wherever the host plants grow. Liorhyssus hyalinus
was once regarded as a migrant to the UK, but has become established,
but Nottinghamshire is probably well north of its currently known range. |
