Shield bugs (Pycanum rubens) and host plant Simpoh Air (Dillenia suffruticosa)

An SLR macro photography tip on where and how to find the bug/insect/macro subjects you want. This time it's about shield bug/shield bug nymph. If you want to find giraffe weevil/long necked weevil, you can find out more from here.

Most of the images here were shot with a Canon 40D, MPE65 1X-5X Macro Lens and MT24EX Macro Twin Flash with DIY Concave Diffuser.


A shield bug nymph Pycanum rubens sucking sap from a Simpoh Air leaf Dillenia suffruticosa. I have always thought that it can only moves its proboscis up, down, frontward, backward, i.e. all within the same plane, but obviously i was wrong. It can move its proboscis sideway too as evident in this pic.


This will be the first of hopefully many more posts to come on some interesting insects/bugs and their host plants/favorite plants. This should make bug hunting easier, but as always, keep your eyes open and look just about anywhere and everywhere.

Simpoh Air plant (Dillenia suffruticosa) is a shrubby tree that grows vigorously on eroded soil, wasteland, forest edges and swampy areas. More info here. Image courtesy of CK Chow.


An adult Shield bug (Pycanum rubens) on its favorite plant - Simpoh Air (Dillenia suffruticosa)



Adult Pycanum rubens shield bugs



Adult Shield bug and shield bug nymph (Pycanum rubens) sucking sap from a Simpoh Air leaf(Dillenia suffruticosa)


Another shield bug nymph (Pycanum rubens). This is was more mature than the pink one i think.


This shield bug nymph (Pycanum rubens) was less mature than the green one


Now that you have read about this slr macro photography tip, it's time to go look for your first pink shield bug nymph. Good luck!

I personally find that great books such as The Smaller Majority and great DVDs such as Life in the Undergrowth have benefited me tremendously.