True bugs belong to the insect order Hemiptera and they suck, meaning they have mouth parts evolved to suck juices. Most are plant feeders, but some feed on other insects. There were 106 species recorded this year with 24 new to the Recording Area. The current site audit stands at 237 species.
The suborder of bugs Auchenorrhyncha contain the "hoppers". A good number were found this year including 17 leafhoppers. New leafhoppers were Oncopsis flavicollis (birch) on 26 May, Typhlocyba quercus on 1 Jul, and Eurhadina cf. concinna (both oak) on 5 Jul with one new planthopper, Conosanus obsoletus (rushes) on 13 Aug.
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Miridae, or plant bugs, is the largest family and are well represented on site, 22 species were recorded this year. The two new species were both recorded on 1 Jul; Neolygus viridis, and the predatory bug Campyloneura virgula. Others included Tuponia mixticolor (Tamarisk) from 11 Jun, Macrotylus paykulli (Restharrow) on 26 Jun, Heterotoma planicornis, the 'radio mic mirid' on 5 Jul and Phytocoris varipes on 17 Jul. Late in the year wintering Pinalitus cervinus could be found on Ivy from 6 Nov.
Aphids form one of the largest families and species often have an association with specific plants. This year 24 species were recorded including Cocksfoot Aphid Hyaloperiodes humilis on 7 May, Goatsbeard Aphid Brachycaudus tragopogenis and Common Oak Aphid Tuberculatus annulatus on 21st, Evening Primrose Aphid Aphis oenotherae on 26th, and Waxy Grey Pine Needle Aphid Schizolachnus pineti on 28th May.
Later in the year the galls of Cherry Blackfly Myzus cerasi were found on 16 Jul with evidence of the Lupin Aphid Macrosiphum albifrons in many areas, it was introduced as an effective biological control for the invasive Tree Lupin, but now is serious pest of lupins.
Closely related to aphids are Phyllidae (jumping plant lice), they are plant specific and often form galls on leaves. Seven species were recorded with two new records; Trioza remota on Oak and Cacopsylla melanoneura on Hawthorn. The most obvious member of this group is Trioza centranthi, it causes bright galls on the leaves of Red Valerian.
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Smaller families include Anthocoridae (flower bugs), Nabidae (damsel bugs), Berytidae (stilt bugs) and Piesmatidae (beet bugs). No new species were found from these groups, but the plentiful Anthocoris nemorum was recorded from 8 Jun, the beet bug Parapiesma quadratum from 21 Apr, Common Damsel Bug Nabis rugosus from 21 Mar and Restharrow Stilt Bug Gampsocoris punctipes was found at Langstone Rock on 21 Aug.
Two of the 10 species of water-boatman/backswimmer found in the Warren's ponds were recorded on 27 May, Notonecta glauca and Notonecta viridus. The nationally scarce spurgebug Dicranocephalus agilis was noted from 8 Jun.
Eight Lygaeidae or groundbugs were recorded including two new species, both sheltering under the same log on 15 Oct; Peritrechus geniculatus and Scolopostethus thomsoni.
Others included Birch Catkin Bug Kleidocerys resedae from 26 Mar, Coastal Groundbug Beosus maritimus and Scolopostethus decoratus from 24 Apr, Dune Groundbug Trapezonotus arenarius from 2 Jun, and Ischncoris angustulus on 21 Jul.
Coridae, the squash bugs, included the common Dock Bug Coreus marginatus from 18 Mar, Denticulate Leatherbug Coriomeris denticulatus from 15 May, Rhombic Leatherbug Syromastus rhombeus from 27 Jul and Slender-horned Leatherbug Ceraleptus lividus on 31 Jul. The similar looking Rhopalid representatives included Corizus hyoscyami from 5 May and Stictopleurus abutilon on 2 Sep.
The Pentatomoidea commonly known as shieldbugs are amongst the most familiar bug family. One new species was recorded this year, Brassica Shieldbug Eurydema oleracea on 7 May. Others seen during the year included Common Green Shieldbug Palonena prasina from 4 Mar, Hairy Shieldbug Dolycoris baccarum from 7 May, Red-legged Shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes from 19 May and Bishop's Mitre Aelia acuminata from 1 Jul. At the end of the year the first record of Turtle Shieldbug Podops inuncta since 1984 was found on 9 Nov.
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