Wildlife in the Garden - June 2014

[Roma]

These could be Hairy Shieldbug Dolycoris baccarum, Roma. Quite scarce and coastal in Scotland.

The first image is an adult, the two together are late instar nymphs.

Chris

Thanks Chris.  I counted 6 or 7 all fairly close together this morning on the tree but could only find 2 later in the afternoon.

[Anthony Darby]

Getting few pics today in the garden I spotted this little jewel.  I think it may be a moth it is under an inch across.  I attach to photos one to show how small it was and the second a close up or as close as I can get.  Has anyone any idea of its name?

Looks like a mint moth (Pyrausta aurata) Shelagh.

[shelagh]

Thanks Anthony that sure looks like it.  We have 3 butterfly/moth books and it doesn't occur in any of them.  Plenty of info on the web though, at least when you know what you are looking for.

[Roma]

Newly emerged adult Hairy Shield Bug - Dolicharis baccarum
I thought I had found an albino but saw the old skin and remembered newly emerged ladybirds are yellow without spots and gradually become spotted and red so I expect this will gradually darken.

[Chris Johnson]

Newly emerged adult Hairy Shield Bug - Dolicharis baccarum
I thought I had found an albino but saw the old skin and remembered newly emerged ladybirds are yellow without spots and gradually become spotted and red so I expect this will gradually darken.

That's a great picture Roma, showing the adult alongside the old skin (exuvium). And well spotted as it appears to be on the underside of some herbaceous plant.

Chris

[Roma]

It's on Sorbus prattii, Chris, on a pendant branch just about my eye level.  The first two I spotted were on the top side of the branch and I have been looking for them in the same area for a few days.  Only saw two last night but have not checked today. 

[Chris Johnson]

Ah, Sorbus prattii, a nice tree. Bit out with my scale!

Unfortunately, I can't grow trees here.

Chris

[fermi de Sousa]

Not quite in the garden - actually on neighbouring blocks - parrots, mostly sulphur crested cockatoos but also galahs and corellas digging up romuleas for the starchy corms - unfortunately not thoroughly enough to eradicate this pest
cheers
fermi

[Roma]

Do they dig up bulbs in your garden, Fermi?   Are those Lamas or Guanacos in the background of the last picture?

[fermi de Sousa]

Do they dig up bulbs in your garden, Fermi?   Are those Lamas or Guanacos in the background of the last picture?

Hi Roma,
they can be quite destructive destroying new shoots and flowers and fruit but they only seem to dig for Romulea - which is why our cultivated forms are mostly in pots!
Those are alpacas in the last pic - kept here mostly as "herd guards" for sheep against marauding dogs and foxes, but this neighbour seems to just use them to keep down the grass,
cheers
fermi

[Robert]

Interesting to see Sulphur Crested Cockatoos in the wild. Here in the U.S. , some folks pay big money to buy Sulphur Crested Cockatoos to keep as pets. They don't make very good pets except for those who are devoted to them and have the proper knowledge.

Here on the farm there are various birds that can be troublesome. Right now it is the California Quail. I do like them, so I use row cover to keep them out of newly planted vegetables. Wild Turkeys are big trouble when the wheat, barley and rye are ripening. Not much I can do about it but grow enough for everyone. 

[Anthony Darby]

The California quail makes an interesting addition to wildlife in our local reserves.

[Robert]

Anthony,

California Quail in New Zealand. They were imported as game birds and have now naturalized? Maybe something like the Ring-necked Pheasants here in California. They have naturalized in the Sacramento Valley but have never moved beyond this area. They are sure beautiful birds!

[Anthony Darby]

Anthony,

California Quail in New Zealand. They were imported as game birds and have now naturalized? Maybe something like the Ring-necked Pheasants here in California. They have naturalized in the Sacramento Valley but have never moved beyond this area. They are sure beautiful birds!

Yes, along with the pheasant and others, they were introduced in the 1860s as game birds. We even have feral peacocks in some of the housing estates near us!

[Robert]

Yes, along with the pheasant and others, they were introduced in the 1860s as game birds. We even have feral peacocks in some of the housing estates near us!

Anthony,

Thanks for sharing the information. Very interesting - feral peacocks.