Orange's Sauvegarde. Firebugs, Pyrrhocoris apterus, on Tilia vulgaris, Common Lime Tree, Thorn, Limburg, The Netherlands
Soon after those counts 'Egmont en Hoorne' - see my previous photo - had been decapitated at Brussels in 1568 on charges of treason, Prince William of Orange, the leader of the Dutch forces against Philip II of Spain, marched his army from Germany in an unsuccessful attempt to gain control of Limburg. His soldiers were hard to keep in line, and in that realisation William gave protection - by way of a so-called Sauvegarde letter - to towns with which he had ties. The Abbess of the tiny Sovereign Principality of Thorn was allowed (1570) to post the prince's coat of arms on her property in the hope the soldiers would be wise enough to leave the convent sisters and their property alone. Heavy penalties including death would otherwise be their fate. That ploy seems to have worked... Two and a quarter centuries later, the ladies weren't as lucky at the hands of Napoleon's troops.
These are very Orange Firebugs, Pyrrhocoris apterus spilling forth out of the bark of the Common Lime Tree, one of an alley leading to the Abbey Church. Most are adults, but if you look carefully you'll see six or seven nymphs or instars - so-called fifth stage instars - as well.
Orange's Sauvegarde. Firebugs, Pyrrhocoris apterus, on Tilia vulgaris, Common Lime Tree, Thorn, Limburg, The Netherlands
Soon after those counts 'Egmont en Hoorne' - see my previous photo - had been decapitated at Brussels in 1568 on charges of treason, Prince William of Orange, the leader of the Dutch forces against Philip II of Spain, marched his army from Germany in an unsuccessful attempt to gain control of Limburg. His soldiers were hard to keep in line, and in that realisation William gave protection - by way of a so-called Sauvegarde letter - to towns with which he had ties. The Abbess of the tiny Sovereign Principality of Thorn was allowed (1570) to post the prince's coat of arms on her property in the hope the soldiers would be wise enough to leave the convent sisters and their property alone. Heavy penalties including death would otherwise be their fate. That ploy seems to have worked... Two and a quarter centuries later, the ladies weren't as lucky at the hands of Napoleon's troops.
These are very Orange Firebugs, Pyrrhocoris apterus spilling forth out of the bark of the Common Lime Tree, one of an alley leading to the Abbey Church. Most are adults, but if you look carefully you'll see six or seven nymphs or instars - so-called fifth stage instars - as well.