Wildlife Review 2025: Bugs (Hemiptera)

Although bugs is a general term for insects, these are true bugs of the order Hemiptera. All Hempitera have piercing mouthparts adapted for sucking juices from plants or other insects. There are many diverse families in the bug order, from familiar aphids to robust shield and leather bugs. A total of 157 species were identified this year (including seventeen new species), well up from 130 in 2024 and 116 in 2023. The site audit is 323 species.

Keeled Shieldbugs (Acanthosomatidae). Hawthorn Shieldbug Acanthosoma haemorroidale from 11th May and Parent Shieldbug Elasmucha grisea from 3rd May.

(soon to be) Parent Bug Elasmucha grisea 3rd May - Kevin Rylands

Tortoise Shieldbugs (Scutelleridae). A Common Tortoise Shieldbug Eurygaster testudinaria noted on 29th June.

Typical Shieldbugs (Pentatomidae). Turtle Shieldbug Podops inuncta, a common grassland bug from 3rd February. Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina found from 6th February. Bishop's Mitre Aelia acuminata from 27th February. Numerous Gorse Shieldbug Piezodorus lituratus from 2nd April, with spring generation individuals already active in November. Hairy Shieldbug Dolycoris baccarum noted on 3rd May. Finally, Forest Bug Pentatoma rufipes from 5th June.

Turtle Shieldbug Podops inuncta 21st Oct - Alan Keatley

Leatherbugs (Coreidae). Large, usually brown seed or fruit feeders. The Common Dock Bug Coreus marginatus from 5th April and Rhombic Leatherbug Syromastus rhombeus found in open grassland and dunes from 17th July.

Rhombic Leatherbug Syromastus rhombeus 21 Oct - Alan Keatley

Rhopalid bugs (Rhopalidae). Only two species found in the Recording Area both noted this year; Red and Black Squashbug Corizus hyoscyami from 5th April and a Rhopalus subrufus on 25th August.

Groundbugs (Lygaeidae). Mostly ground-dwelling favouring grassland or dunes areas within the Recording Area. The first of the year, was Peritrechus geniculatus on 6th February with Scolopostethus affinis from 10th March, followed by two new species Drymus sylvaticus on 12th March and Cymus glandicolor on 18th March. Thomson's Groundbug Scolopostethus thomsoni recorded from 20th March and Nysius huttoni from 29th April. 

Cymus glandicolor 18th March - Alan Keatley

Dune Groundbug Trapezonotus arenarius was found from 22nd May with Birch Catkin Bug Kleidocerys ericae from 23rd May and the nationally scarce Megalonotus praetextatus on 28th May. In June Megalonotus chiragra on 9th, Graptopeltus lynceus, another nationally scarce new species on 13th, Nettle Groundbug Heterogaster urticae and European Cinchbug Ischodemus sabuleti from 14th and Coastal Groundbug Beosus maritimus from 15th.

Graptopeltus lynceus 13th June - Alan Keatley

In August a fleabane groundbug Nysius ericae on 16th and Glossy Groundbug Plinthisus brevipennis on 22nd. New species for the year still being found In November, with Decorated Groundbug Scolopostethus decoratus on 18th and Stygnocoris fuligineus on 20th.

Stygnocoris fuligineus 20th November - Alan Keatley

Beetbugs (Piesmatidae). Only two UK species of this small bug family. The beet leaf bug Parapiesma quadratum, a saltmarsh species associated with Sea-purslane, was noted from 10th May.

Stiltbugs (Berytidae). Mainly brown, well camouflaged grassland bugs. A Straw Stiltbug Neides tipularius, a sand dune specialist, was new for the Recording Area on 9th April.

Straw Stiltbug Neides tipularius 9th April - Alan Keatley

Lacebugs (Tingidae). Small plant feeding bugs with lace-like wings. Spear Thistle Lacebug Tingis cardui was found on its food plant on 9th April. At only 2mm, the moss lacebug Acalypta parvula was well found on 30th October.

Acalypta parvula 30th October - Alan Keatley

Flower bugs (Anthocoridae). Small predators feeding on aphids. Common Flower Bug Anthocoris nemorum active from 22nd January with Cardiastethus fasciiventris, a new Warren species, found on 9th October.

Damsel bugs (Nabidae). Long legged predators of other insects. Overwintering as adults, Field Nabis ferus and Common Damsel Bug N. rugosus were found on 14th January. Common in grassland Ant Damsel Bug Himacerus mirmicoides from 5th March and Marsh Damsel Bug N. limbatus from 11th August. Last species for the year was a Grey Damsel Bug H. major on 30th October.

Grey Damsel Bug Himacerus major 30th October - Alan Keatley

Plant bugs (Miridae). The largest family of land bugs, mostly plant feeders. First of the year was an overwintering adult Stenodema calcarata on 5th March. In April, Common Nettle Bug Liocoris tripustulatus and Common Green Capsid Lygocoris pabulinus from 5th, in May the grass mirid Notostira elongata on 1st, with Meadow Plant Bug Leptoterna dolabrata from 31st.

Meadow Plant Bug Leptoterna dolabrata - Alan Keatley

Diversity picked up in June, with two Restharrow feeding species, Macrotylus paykulli and Dicyphus annulatus on 1st, Deraeocoris ruber on 5th, Orthops campestris and Capsodes sulcatus on 9th, Heterotoma planicornis, Plagiognathus arbustorum and Stenotus binotatus on 14th. Potato Capsid Closterotomus norwegicus was found from 15th, Orthotylus marginalis on 16th, Deraeocoris flavilinea and a Tamarisk mirid Tuponia mixticolor on 28th with Grypocoris stysi the next day.

Grypocoris stysi - Alan Keatley

Into July a new mirid species Orthops basalis on 2nd, Orius niger on 5th, the Great Willowherb feeding Dicyphus epilobii on 12th, Black-kneed Capsid Blepharidopterus angulatus and Phytocoris varipes on 17th. In August, Apolygus lucorum on 6th, Lygus maritimus on 11th, the silver-patched green mirid Orthotylus flavosparsus and a Sea-purslane mirid Orthotylus moncreaffi on 11th, Compsidolon salicellum on 12th, and another tamarisk bug Tuponia brevirostris on 24th August. In September, the nettle feeding mirid Dicyphus errans on 27th and Tarnished Plant Bug Lygus rugulipennis on 30th.

Orthops basalis 2nd July - Alan Keatley

Shorebugs (Saldidae). Small oval predatory bugs found in wetlands and coastal areas, adults overwinter.  A Chartoscirta cincta recorded on 22nd February was a new species, with Saldula orthochila noted on the beach on 11th October.

Saldula orthochila 11th Oct - Alan Keatley

Water scorpions (Nepidae). Very elongated appearance, found in ponds, feeds on invertebrates and tadpoles. A Water Stick-insect Ranatra linearis was a pond-dipping find on 12th July.

Froghoppers (Aphrophoridae). Common "hoppers" larvae develop in foam "cuckoo spit". The first cuckoo spit of Common Froghopper Philaenus spumarius was noted on 6th May with a Lined Froghopper Neophilaenus lineatus on 12th August.

Common Froghopper Philaenus spumarius - Alan Keatley

Leafhoppers (Cicadellidae). A large varied family of elongated plant feeding bugs. First of the year was Mocydia crocea, a grassland species noted on 6th February. In March other grassland species, Megophtalmus scabripennis from 1st and Anaceratagallia ribauti on 25th.  Eupteryx melissae were noted from 29th April, with Nettle Leafhopper E. urticae and the poplar feeding Viridicerus ustulatus from 19th May.

Anaceratagallia ribauti 7th April - Alan Keatley

June saw a new species for the Recording Area, the infrequently recorded grass species Turrutus socialis on 15th. Later in the month Eupterycyba jucunda on Alder, Iassus lanio on oak and Opsius stactogalus on Tamarisk were noted on 28th with Oncopsis flavicollis on birch leafhopper from 29th. In July a sallow leafhopper Innavuoriana sexmaculata on 8th, the bright green Cicadella viridis from 12th and Potato Eupteryx aurata and Water Mint Leafhopper E. thoulessi on 19th.

Cicadella viridis 15th Sep - Alan Keatley

Two additional for the year on 17th August, Eurhadina concinna and Zygina ordinaria. In September, on willow, Metidiocerus rutilans and in sandy areas Psammotettix albomarginatus on 21st. November leafhoppers included a new species on bramble, Lindbergina aurovittata on 6th, Ribautiana tenerrima on 12th and another new species Empoasca decipiens on 24th. The last new leafhopper species of the year was the local Euscelis lineolatus on 26th.

Ribautiana tenerrima 12th Nov - Alan Keatley

Lacehoppers (Cixiidae). Only twelve UK species, all with lace like wings. Two species recorded, Tachycixius pilosus from 29th April and Cixius nervosus from 13th July.

Cixius nervosus 13th Jul - Alan Keatley

Planthoppers (Delphacidae). Small bugs, some with shortened wings. First of the year was the distinctive Issus coleoptratus on 17th February. The coastal species Muirodelphax aubei was noted from 25th March with Eurysa lineata on 1st June and the Sand Sedge planthopper Kelisia sabulicola from 11th August.

Kelisia sabulicola 26th Nov - Alan Keatley

Aphids (Aphididae). Small soft bodied sap feeding bugs. Species can be winged or wingless. Some species are distinctive, but many of the 630+ UK species are difficult to identify. Thirty-four species were identified this year with seven new species including Mottled Arum Aphid Neomyzus circumflexus and Slender Mugwort Aphid Macrosiphum albifrons on 4th April, Small Willow Aphid Aphis farinosa on 18th May, Pink Tansy Aphid Metopeurum fuscoviridae on 16th June, a migrant Lime Aphid Eucallipterus tiliae on 13th September, Elder Aphid Aphis sambuci on 19th September and Hawthorn-Gypsywort Aphid Ovatus insitus on 27th September.

Small Willow Aphid Aphis farinosa 18th May - Kevin Rylands

Other species included Silver Birch Aphid Euceraphis betula on 3rd May, Lupin Aphid Macrosiphum albifrons from 9th May, Evening Primrose Aphid Aphis oenotherae on 13th May, Iris Aphid Aphis newtoni on 6th June, Meadowsweet Aphid Macrosiphum cholodkovskyi on 15th June, Marram Flower Aphid Laingia psammae on 23rd June, Fennel Aphid Hyadaphis foeniculi on 11th July and Giant Willow Aphid Tuberolachnus salignus from 16th August.

Evening Primrose Aphid Aphis oenotherae 13th May - Kevin Rylands

Jumping plant lice (Psyllidae). Small soft-bodied with patterned forewing. Some species forming galls. Galls of Lauritrioza alacris on Bay and Trioza centranthi on Red Valerian were noted wherever the foodplant is found. Species noted as adults included Cacopsylla fulguralis on Elaeagnus from 5 Apr, Trioza urticae on nettles from 14th June, Baeopelma foersteri on Alder from 12th July and Spanioneura fonscolombii on Box on 19th July.

Trioza centranthi - Alan Keatley

Soft scales (Coccidae) and Mealybugs (Pseudococcidae). Sap sucking insects. Mussel Scale Lepidosaphes ulmi was noted on apple twigs on 12th January and the mealybug Balanococcus diminutus hidden in New Zealand Flax on 20th March.