what's this then?

[GeordieVik]

Hi,

I found this odd bug on a raspberry plant this afternoon. When I got close to it, it flew off, with the same sort of "opening back casing and wings coming from underneath casings" way, very much like a ladybird or beetle.

It was the same sort of width as a ladybird, but longer. I know the pic isn't great, but you can still make out the markings.

Any ideas what it was (I killed it after I took the pics!)

Thanks,

Vik

[sewer rat]

Hi Geordievik
The bug in question is a Froghopper - specifically Cercopsis vulnerata. Froghoppers are responsible for the "cuckoo spit" we see ojn plants

[smallblueplanet]

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/wild...froghopper.asp

...and you killed it, why?

[Snadger]

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/wild...froghopper.asp

...and you killed it, why?

It's rude to spit!

[sewer rat]

Aah Snadger, but it's the cuckoo who spits !!!!

[Waffler]

Weird! We've loads of cuckoo spit, but I've not seen one of those in the garden, or anywhere else, for that matter ( nor have I seen a cuckoo in the garden! )

[sewer rat]

Snadger
The more common variety of froghopper is a common or garden dull brownish green sort of colour so not quite so easy to spot as the one Vik found

[Waffler]

Is it a green flying bug that looks a bit like a beetle? I've seen those.

[Alice]

What was so threatening about this insect you felt you had to kill it ?

[libbyloulou]

What was so threatening about this insect you felt you had to kill it ?

hi alice, she killed it cause she felt itwas damaging, i think.every time i lift a 12 inch pot of the ground, i find a blackish inch long grub, he gets damaged, and dies, i could be killing a friend, but i don't know enought to distinguish (sp) good creatures from bad. but i understand where your coming from.

[GeordieVik]

SBP / Alice I killed it because it was so similar to a ladybird, but definitely not a common ladybird - I was worried that it might be a harlequin (which kill British ones) and wasn't willing to take the chance. Now that I know, if I see another, I won't kill it - but you must admit, it was very striking.

I used to buy ladybird larvae, so am absolutely not a 'if it moves kill it!' type.

Just a mistake, but if I hadn't killed it, and it's been something sinister, I'd have been more upset.

Vik

[GeordieVik]

By the way, thanks for the help identifying it Sewer Rat

Vik

[smallblueplanet]

No offence meant GV. I hope you see some more, they are indeed very striking.

[GeordieVik]

it's OK, none taken SBP