Common Cicada (Purana usnani)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Purana (?) usnani (?)

Adult male Common Cicada (Purana usnani) at Sungei Buloh, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: ?  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

Cicadas have been a species that I've heard many times before in at least 7 countries, but despite being fairly large insects they are very good at not being seen, even on relatively close inspection. They are mostly distinctive for their sound, which is in many places is THE defining audio experience of the countryside.  However, the online resources for identifying cicadas are no way near as robust as for groups like butterflies and dragonflies, so this ID is a bit more tentative than usual.  I believe this to be the species Purana usnani, but Purana nebullilinae and Purana Tigrina are similar looking and potentially found in the same place.

Related Species:
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Cicadidae
Genus: Purana
SUBSPECIES: unknown

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE - A common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: One seen at Sungei Buloh, many cicadas heard throughout at other locations may have been this.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum)

OTHER NAMES: Sloe Bug
Latin Etymology: Dolycoris (?) baccarum (?)

Adult Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum) at Grafton Underwood, Northants - May 2019

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 11-12mm  /  Wingspan: ?
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A distinctivly coloured shieldbug in rose and gold with a black and white striped border.  They are one of the more common shieldbug species in the UK, found in forests, parks and gardens where they feed on a wide range of plants including familiar species such as honeysuckle and raspberries.

Related Species:
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Pentatomidae
Genus: Dolycoris
SUBSPECIES: ?

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident

 - Seen at Geddington among other places.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Dune Spurge Bug (Dicranocephalus agilis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Dicranocephalus (?) agilis ("nimble")

Final Instar Dune Spurge Bug (Dicranocephalis agilis) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - July 2019

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 12-14mm  /  Wingspan: ?
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

There are two members of the family of Dicranocephalus in the UK, which can be identified largely by habitat.  This particular species is found on sand dunes as it is associated with two species of plant; sea spurge and portland spurge. 

Related Species:
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Stenocephalidae
Genus: Dicranocephalus
SUBSPECIES: ?

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A local resident of South-Western sand-dunes

 - Seen at Trevose Head in July 2019

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)

OTHER NAMES: Green Shield Bug
Latin Etymology: Palomena (?) prasina ("leek green")

Adult Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) at Geddington, Northants - May 2019

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 1.3cm  /  Wingspan: ?
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

The most familiar species of shield bug in the UK - a substantial green insect whose flying is fairly noisy and conspicuous.  There is one generation per year and hibernate.  As with other members of their family, they are capable of producing a noxious deterant when threatened.

Related Species:
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Pentatomidae
Genus: Palomena
SUBSPECIES: ?

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread and common resident.

 - Seen at Geddington among other places.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Coreus ("bedbug") marginatus ("with a distinct margin")

Adult Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus) at Geddington, Northants - June 2018

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 13-15mm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

The Dock Bug is one of the more common bug species found in the UK, a large shield bug with distinctive chunky antennae combined with a brown carapace being the key point of separation.  As the name suggests, it's primary good plant includes dock, though sorrel is also favoured.  It can release a noxious chemical from it's thorax if disturbed.

Related Species:
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Coreidae
Genus: Coreus
SUBSPECIES: ? 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident seen in Summer.

 - Seen in Geddington.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug (Aelia acuminata)

OTHER NAMES: Bishop's Mitre 
Latin Etymology: Aelia (possibly derived from "sun") acuminata ("pointed" or "sharpened")

Adult Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug (Aelia acuminata) at Geddington, Northants - May 2019

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 8-9mm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A widespread small shieldbug that doesn't match the typical "look" of the family that most people expect - there is still a roughly shield like shape but it lacks the very broad "shoulders" of the more familiar species.  The striping is also distinctive - with the overall impression being something along the lines of a faded sunflower seed with a greenish tinge.  Widely found in Southern Britain, it has one new generation per year.

Related Species:
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Pentatomidae
Genus: Aelia
SUBSPECIES: ?

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM
 A fairly common resident of Southern England, seen during Spring-Autumn.

 - Seen around Geddington 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .