Accidental Bugging

While I was photographing Ivy Bees I noticed a large bug on a leaf. Not only did I not recognise it, I had no clue even what order of insects it belongs to. With some help from the bee forum and a bit of research I narrowed it down.

Oddly, when looking through my pictures of Ivy Bees I had accidentally photographed another bug that I did not recognise either!

They are two nymph stages of Squashbugs (Coreidae) the red one is the 1st instar of the Dock Bug Coreus marginatus and the other a mid instar of the Box Bug Gonocerus acuteangulatus.

Box Bug Gonocerus acuteangulatus

Dock Bug Coreus marginatus

Coreidae are Hemiptera and so are related to shield bugs, froghoppers and aphids. The more I learn the more fascinating the world of insects is!

Rant it out!
This entry was posted in Lockdown Diary. Bookmark the permalink.