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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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 .