A Jewel in the Garden
By Lakshmi Prabhala
28 May 2008
Well actually they are plenty of them. The are very attractive, live in colourful surroundings, and very complying models. So all you need a decent macro-lens and you have a treasure trove of photo opportunities.
Scientific Name
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Family: Scutelleridae
Name: Chrysocoris stolli
Because the bugs are usually brightly colored, they are also known as Jewel bugs. Since these are green they are also known as emerald jewel bugs.
Appearance
These bugs belong to the family Scutelleridae or shield-backed bugs, due to the fact that their shield is continuous and not divided. Nature is always known to be a master at camouflage. One would think the bug's eye-catching metallic coat could work against it. But nature has its own designs. If they were easy prey, you'd find lots of birds and other predators around. Maybe they taste horrible or maybe they are even poisonous or emit some kind of a fluid in such an eventuality.
The little ones have orange on their exterior and once fully grown the orange disappears and it then has the neat shiny metallic coat with distinct black dots.
Eats
They thrive around this particular plant that has these bright red flowers and feast on them. On would wonder if there is a symbiotic relation between the bug and this plant but that cannot be proved. This fixation spans all seasons as well. Winter, monsoon as well as summer. So come rain or shine the bug never changes it main course. And yes, their table manners leave a lot be desired.
Photographically speaking
These bugs look great any which way you click them. The leaves have veins that come out radially. The flowers are bright red and the pollen a lovely yellow. The stems are often long and the bug often tries to run away from you and your camera. When the leaves dry up, it makes for a lovely contrast. In the rain however their metallic coat plays games with your eyes. Shades of blue appear within the drops due to the refraction and bugs are a little unsteady as they wouldn't be able to grip as firmly! As a result they are a little reluctant to move about.
These bugs are fun! All you need is a decent macro lens and little bit of patience.
1 response
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Jhani Mohammed said (19 Apr 2009):
nice information.. i have seen so many times this while i was in india.. but never thought about its story... beautifull photos
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Solid Colors
Personal Post — 15 Apr 2008
Just collected some shots with 1-2 colors. More later ........
