Insect identification (photo)

[DTMark 6,448]

What in the name of God is this thing that I just discovered crawling across the desk..

 

[stokiescum 11,793]

What country are you in

[TheBlueCat 9,129]

2 minutes ago, DTMark said:

What in the name of God is this thing that I just discovered crawling across the desk..

 

COVID beetle.

[DTMark 6,448]

2 minutes ago, stokiescum said:

What country are you in

Italy

[stokiescum 11,793]

2 minutes ago, DTMark said:

Italy

Not a clue I knew it was not British lol

[The Masked Tulip 56,017]

It is an Asian stink bug. A big problem in Italy. I think you are supposed to kill it. Invasive species.

https://www.politico.eu/article/italy-farmers-different-plague-stink-bug/

Huge problem in the World. In the US, Nz, Oz you have to report them. Not sure about the UK. Probably the same.

 

[The Masked Tulip 56,017]

[DTMark 6,448]

Thanks. First one I've seen.. not knowing what it was I put a cup over it and put it out on the balcony.

[The Masked Tulip 56,017]

Seems they are going to introduce Samurai wasps to kill them. That will go well.

Keep an eye out for wasps with swords, bamboo poles and tiny helmets.

 

https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/production/a-new-strategy-against-a-dreaded-pest-in-italy/80972

Quote

A new strategy has been given the go-ahead in Italy for the widespread introduction in the environment of the samurai wasp to fight the further spreading of the brown marmorated stink bug, the Asian insect that has, since its arrival in Italy in 2013, had a devastating effect on Italian agriculture production. 

Its presence is also considered a growing menace to the productivity of olive trees.

Conferenza Stato-Regioni, the Italian institution coordinating national and local politics, has approved the extraordinary allocation of $87 million to cover at least some of the damages caused by the stink bug in the 2019 farming season and approved the inoculation of the samurai wasp in selected areas. 

The samurai wasp is a minuscule insect that is considered the biological opponent of the Asian bug since it deposits its own eggs within those of the pest. It does not represent any kind of danger for humans.

The samurai wasp’s well-known reproductive strategy has been studied in the last three years in Italy, both to understand how effective it can be in containing the reproduction of the bug and to evaluate the consequences of its introduction in the environment. 

A new strategy has been given the go-ahead in Italy for the widespread introduction in the environment of the samurai wasp to fight the further spreading of the brown marmorated stink bug, the Asian insect that has, since its arrival in Italy in 2013, had a devastating effect on Italian agriculture production. 

Its presence is also considered a growing menace to the productivity of olive trees.

Conferenza Stato-Regioni, the Italian institution coordinating national and local politics, has approved the extraordinary allocation of $87 million to cover at least some of the damages caused by the stink bug in the 2019 farming season and approved the inoculation of the samurai wasp in selected areas. 

The samurai wasp is a minuscule insect that is considered the biological opponent of the Asian bug since it deposits its own eggs within those of the pest. It does not represent any kind of danger for humans.

The samurai wasp’s well-known reproductive strategy has been studied in the last three years in Italy, both to understand how effective it can be in containing the reproduction of the bug and to evaluate the consequences of its introduction in the environment. 

https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/production/a-new-strategy-against-a-dreaded-pest-in-italy/80972

https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/production/a-new-strategy-against-a-dreaded-pest-in-italy/80972

 

[Hopeful 23,935]

13 minutes ago, DTMark said:

What in the name of God is this thing that I just discovered crawling across the desk..

 

 

Shield bug

[The Masked Tulip 56,017]

Just now, DTMark said:

Thanks. First one I've seen.. not knowing what it was I put a cup over it and put it out on the balcony.

 

Apparently they are pretty nasty if you try to kill them. Turn around and punch you in the face.

'The good news is that stink bugs don't bite. They also don't harm people or pets, nor do they spread disease. However, some people are allergic to the compounds released by the stink bug. Symptoms of this allergy can include a runny nose and, if you come in contact with crushed bugs, dermatitis.'

[dgul 18,875]

1 minute ago, Hopeful said:

 

Shield bug

Looks like the mottled shield bug.  They're fairly common in Europe.

They're notable as one of the few European insects with a deadly venomous bite.

[The Masked Tulip 56,017]

4 minutes ago, dgul said:

Looks like the mottled shield bug.  They're fairly common in Europe.

They're notable as one of the few European insects with a deadly venomous bite.

 

@DTMark can do some analysis and get back to us.

 

[Carl Fimble 10,753]

21 minutes ago, DTMark said:

What in the name of God is this thing that I just discovered crawling across the desk..

 

Stink bug I think.

[Hancock 548]

Ant n Dec might know.

Was driving back home last September, pulled down the visor and this badboy was there, i shit my pants.

[The Generation Game 10,253]

41 minutes ago, Hancock said:

Ant n Dec might know.

Was driving back home last September, pulled down the visor and this badboy was there, i shit my pants.

Just remember. 

Service guarantees citizenship. 

Would you like to know more?

[wherebee 20,701]

1 hour ago, Hancock said:

Ant n Dec might know.

Was driving back home last September, pulled down the visor and this badboy was there, i shit my pants.

Ichumoen wasp (sp?) harmless to humans, hunts a specific prey like spiders or caterpillars and does all sorts of unspeakable things to it.

DT Marks picture was what used to be called a shield bug in the UK, but now are called stink bugs.  Many harmless, some invasive.  I have loads in my garden here in Oz which when young look just like redback spiders unless you look closely.  fuckers.

Some birds eat them but not all.  When the starling flocks come into the lawn, they frenzy on them with me cheering them on.

[TheBlueCat 9,129]

28 minutes ago, The Generation Game said:

Just remember. 

Service guarantees citizenship. 

Would you like to know more?

Heinlein! It’s amazing how many people fail to realize he was being ironic.

[OurDayWillCome 6,401]

This bug also stinks! And has an anal probe! Welcome to Chyna!

Edited January 9 by OurDayWillCome

[wherebee 20,701]

11 minutes ago, TheBlueCat said:

Heinlein! It’s amazing how many people fail to realize he was being ironic.

Whether he was being ironic or not, he describes a number of truths about human societies, use of force, and political system weaknesses

[The Masked Tulip 56,017]

I think it has eaten @DTMark 

[SomersetMatt 1,269]

5 hours ago, OurDayWillCome said:

This bug also stinks! And has an anal probe! Welcome to Chyna!

Do they eat them? 

[sarahbell 18,341]

9 hours ago, DTMark said:

What in the name of God is this thing that I just discovered crawling across the desk..

 

Shield bug of some sort.

They suck sap.

[Sasquatch 2,295]

I have to say that I was a bit disconcerted when I came across this little fella in the hallway of our holiday rental in mallorca in 2017.

 

[desertorchid 1,065]

Outside front door few weeks ago (in Asia though)