Quietly enjoying a pleasant evening on our sun terrace in front of the Wendy Hut and couldn't help noticing this fearsome looking huge beetley thing top of the railings. Neither of us had seen the likes of it before - but in all likelihood you have?
Whilst I took a photograph of it Pat scurried in to get her computer to look it up. Turned out to be a COMMON forest or garden bug pentatoma rufipes. (Incidentally, haven't iphone cameras come on a long way?)
Here's more detail:
Appearance
The forest bug is a large shieldbug with red legs, brown body and an orange, yellow or cream-coloured tip at the bottom of the 'shield'. Its 'shoulders' are slightly hooked and the fringe of the abdomen patterned with dark and pale squares.
Size
10-15mm in length.
Where to find it
Common and widespread across the UK in woodland, gardens and orchards. Look for adults from July.
What it feeds on
Sucks the sap of deciduous trees such as hazel, alder and oak. Also feeds on fruits and sometimes predates caterpillars and other insects.
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