Reposted by Tristan BantockRockwolf 🇪🇺 @rockwolf74.bsky.social · 30/08/2026Good to find Aphanus rolandri today in SW Shropshire! Only the second time I’ve found one! #Heteroptera #Lygaeidae #Shropshire 0355
Reposted by Tristan BantockRichard Jones @bugmanjones.bsky.social · 26/08/2026A good day for lygaeid ground bugs yesterday, many hundreds (thousands maybe) of Emblethis denticollis in a former arable field near Rochester, under mignonette and other low-growing plants. They run like the wind. 0193
Reposted by Tristan BantockPeter Brash @peterbrash.bsky.social · 11/08/2026Up until yesterday I hadn't seen a Metopoplax of any sort. Surveying a quarry in Oxfordshire and came across dozens of Metopoplax ditomoides including mating pairs. Another location in the same quarry had lots of the rarer M. fuscinervis, again including mating pairs. 1101
Reposted by Tristan BantockAndy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 07/08/2026I wasn't expecting this Mosaic Leafhopper (Orientus ishidae) in the moth trap on Mon night. It's new to the Bristol region as far as I know. The 'intruders' list for the year now stands at 123 spp. @britishbugs.bsky.social 081
Reposted by Tristan BantockKent Field Club @kentfieldclub.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Highlight of our field meeting last weekend near Deal - this nymph of the shieldbug Arma custos, swept by Laurence Clemons. A species found new to the UK in 2024 by Simon Warry, and this nymph confirms that it's now breeding here. #UKBugs #Shieldbugs @britishbugs.bsky.social @rockwolf74.bsky.social 25612
Reposted by Tristan BantockJames Emerson @norwichbirder.bsky.social · 31/07/2026Vinegar Pond at Mousehold is often rather shallow, so it was something of a suprise that it still had some water. Peering in I noticed lots of large pondskaters, which I suspected were an Aquarius sp. Fortunately I managed to get close enough to photograph one and confirm it was A. paludum. 0143
Reposted by Tristan BantockAndrew Jewels @andrew-jewels.bsky.social · 19/07/2026A quick visit to Ninefields, Waltham Abbey yesterday produced 271 adult Striped Shieldbugs (Graphosoma italicum) plus my first nymphs of the year, two late instars and two early instars. TL397005 #EssexWildlife #UKBugs 1182
Tristan Bantock @britishbugs.bsky.social · 19/07/2026Fancy doing a monthly tax return? 😫This dreadful proposal needs a strong response from the self employed so please do respond to the consultation 010
Reposted by Tristan BantockPaul Harris @paulupwey.bsky.social · 15/07/2026An incredible spectacle above Rodden Hive this morning. 10's of millions of Bug nymphs pouring along the ground, I'm not exaggerating the numbers either, I've never seen anything like it. Right across the field and paths. I really don't know what species they are though! @britishbugs.bsky.social 4386
Reposted by Tristan BantockTerry & Judy Wood @tandjwood.bsky.social · 07/06/2026Found yesterday loitering with intent, this assassin bug, Reduvius personatus, also known as the Masked Hunter. @rockwolf74.bsky.social @britishbugs.bsky.social 1262
Reposted by Tristan BantockNicholas Galley @nickgalley.bsky.social · 26/05/2026Male Anoscopus histrionicus. 2121
Reposted by Tristan BantockTerry & Judy Wood @tandjwood.bsky.social · 16/05/2026A week or so ago we had the amazing privilege of watching a Mottled Shieldbug (Rhaphigaster nebulosa) laying eggs on, of all things, the landing window providing a most unusual view! The eggs are developing nicely and hopefully we will be able to see the 1st instars soon. @rockwolf74.bsky.social 46711
Reposted by Tristan BantockAJCann @ajcann.bsky.social · 24/04/2026They're back. Red-and-black Froghopper, Cercopis vulnerata. #Bugs #Hemiptera #VC55 0272
Tristan Bantock @britishbugs.bsky.social · 25/04/2026Lots of insects out now in the London area. 16 sp of shieldbugs & allies at Beddington Farmlands/Mitcham Common today, including the spurge bug Dicranocephalus medius and White-shouldered Shieldbug Dyroderes 0324
Reposted by Tristan BantockGeorgie W-S @wightmansmithg.bsky.social · 24/04/2026@britishbugs.bsky.social Piesma maculatum? From my garden. Thanks 131
Reposted by Tristan BantockRockwolf 🇪🇺 @rockwolf74.bsky.social · 01/04/2026A nice surprise to find another Gastrodes abietum (Spruce Cone Bug) in SE Shropshire on Sunday! #Heteroptera #Lygaeidae 0182
Reposted by Tristan BantockJohn Walters @johnwalterswildife.bsky.social · 29/03/2026The bizarre 'stalk-eyed bug' Henestaris laticeps, common around Buck's-horn Plantain plants, Ayrmer Cove, Devon. The reason why its eyes are stalked is unknown. 0463
Reposted by Tristan BantockAJCann @ajcann.bsky.social · 26/03/2026Apolygus - simplified Apolygus is a tricky genus, but the impact of a new paper (if widely accepted) simplifies things. As a confirmed taxonomic lumper, I approve! - ajcarthropoda.blogspot.com/2026/03/apol... #Bugs #Hemiptera #VC55 #Miridaeajcarthropoda.blogspot.comApolygus - simplifiedApolygus is a tricky genus, but the impact of a new paper (if widely accepted) on that British list is that Apolygus lucorum and Apolygu... 2184
Reposted by Tristan BantockMatt Ames @mattames6.bsky.social · 22/03/2026Another day, yet another Shieldbug, this time a Mottled Shieldbug (Rhaphigaster nebulosa). Found among Ivy on a Hawthorn tree down the allotment, the first time I've encountered this particular species. Underside view shows the characteristic spike. VC30 Bedfordshire 1303
Reposted by Tristan BantockRichard Moyse @kentgrasshoppers.bsky.social · 09/03/2026Some 50 Fire Bugs in the village of Lynsted in North Kent. Thanks to Mike Hudson for the record and photos and to Neil Anderson for passing it on. #KentNature #bugs #TrueBugs 0255
Reposted by Tristan BantockAndrew Jewels @andrew-jewels.bsky.social · 22/02/2026Found a rather attractive Cinnamon Bug (Corizus hyoscyami) in my Waltham Abbey garden two days ago. #EssexWildlife #UKBugs 0222
Reposted by Tristan BantockWill George @willgeorge.bsky.social · 05/02/2026A new species added to the Bedfordshire bug slides, with the lacebug Catoplatus fabricii, a rather lovely creature brilliantly found and photographed by @markgurn.bsky.social last year. See all the slides here www.flickr.com/photos/runne... 0285
Reposted by Tristan BantockAJCann @ajcann.bsky.social · 25/01/2026Blue Shieldbug, Zicrona caerulea. #Bugs #Hemiptera #VC55 #macrophotography #macro #OMSystem 0447
Reposted by Tristan BantockPalustris @palustris.bsky.social · 02/01/2026This is the height of ecological illiteracy and shows how wannabe zookeepers have taken over UK nature conservation. Evidence for native status of these species is incredibly tenuous; releasing them into one of our most ancient & irreplaceable ecosystems would be crazy. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukThree frogs to be reintroduced to West Acre 'pingos'The money will be spent on breeding thousands of frogs and managing their release in 2026. 1337
Reposted by Tristan BantockPaul Harris @paulupwey.bsky.social · 17/12/202510 years ago today I looked in the moth trap and saw the critter in the first photo. I actually potted it, threw it back in the trap, then re-potted it after having second thoughts! Three days later I had another! (2nd photo). Mecidea lindbergi, 1st UK record, ID'd by @britishbugs.bsky.social 2432
Reposted by Tristan BantockTerry & Judy Wood @tandjwood.bsky.social · 13/12/2025Found a leafhopper in the bedroom window on Thursday and it appears to be a Acericerus heydenii - a recent arrival in the UK (2010) and appears to be spreading. We've seen just one before - in South Bucks. @rockwolf74.bsky.social 1325
Reposted by Tristan BantockChris Rose @chrisrosebxwild.bsky.social · 09/12/2025Mottled Shieldbug (Rhaphigaster nebulosa) from pollarded Sallow branch 28/11/25. New site record #ThamesRdWetland SMINC in London Boro Bexley, managed by @thames21.bsky.social Feeds on various decidous trees. First found in UK in London area 2010, following increase on near continent. (Pic Elio G) 0124
Reposted by Tristan BantockAJCann @ajcann.bsky.social · 02/12/2025Winter leafhoppers. Empoasca vitis Eupteryx urticae Linnavuoriana sexmaculata Ribautiana debilis #Bugs #Hemiptera #VC55 #Cicadellidae 1273
Reposted by Tristan BantockBarry Yates @rxnature.bsky.social · 26/11/2025Looking at the last flowers of Red Campion today and this little bug appeared. It is Dicyphus globulifer, a species found on Red and White Campion throughout Britain. 0213
Reposted by Tristan BantockDaniel Blyton @invertdan.bsky.social · 18/11/2025What an incredible month November has been so far, and thanks to simply shaking some leaves. Three new leafhoppers for me, two of these possibly new to Essex. #Hemiptera #Cicadellidae #Leafhopper 0324
Reposted by Tristan BantockRockwolf 🇪🇺 @rockwolf74.bsky.social · 17/11/2025Always love finding Ledra aurita (Eared Leafhopper) nymphs! From SE Shropshire yesterday. #Homoptera #Leafhopper #Shropshire 0306
Reposted by Tristan BantockArt Gelling @artgelling.bsky.social · 13/11/2025Developers WANT gradual release of new homes, so demand always outstrips supply to keep sales prices high. They use: 1 Land-banking - to prevent competitors building 2 Slow build-out - to keep demand high Reforms should focus on this dynamic, plus skills shortages, and minimising slow wet trades 041
Tristan Bantock @britishbugs.bsky.social · 13/11/2025Utterly disgusted by this dismal disappointment of a govt 0102
Reposted by Tristan BantockRSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 14/10/2025The Government has tabled 67 last-minute amendments to the Planning & Infrastructure Bill.‼️ Rushed through with little scrutiny, it’s a shambolic way to reform the planning system. It creates confusion, sidelines science and leaves nature dangerously exposed. (1/3) 529393
Reposted by Tristan BantockEoghan Daltun 🌍 @irishrainforest.bsky.social · 08/10/2025Don't care about the massive damage done to native ecosystems by the constant release of vast numbers of invasive pheasants for shooting? Maybe you'll care about catching Lyme disease instead. 814746
Reposted by Tristan BantockRichard Moyse @kentgrasshoppers.bsky.social · 29/09/2025On yesterday's @kentfieldclub.bsky.social meeting at Castle Foote on the North Kent coast, I was really pleased to find the rare ground bug Henestaris halophilus in numbers across the saltmarsh. Habitat shot has notes in alt text. #bugs #truebugs #Hemiptera #KentNature @britishbugs.bsky.social 1192
Reposted by Tristan BantockPatrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 28/09/2025This is the story of my daughter Milly and Lyme Disease. There was no rash, no "summer flu", NHS blood tests negative. And she's been ill for a quarter of her life. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s... Thank you @lymediseaseuk.bsky.social & @lymeresourcecentre.bsky.social for raising UK awareness.theguardian.comAs my daughter got sicker and sicker, our quest for answers dragged on. How did we all miss the bacteria taking over her body?I write about nature, but when Milly got sick with a mystery illness, it never occurred to me that a long-forgotten tick bite could be the cause 2213350
Reposted by Tristan BantockProf Duncan Westbury @duncanwestbury.bsky.social · 23/09/2025PLEASE READ! No more #BeeWashing. www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.comWhy saving the honeybee could be bad news for other beesIn this week’s newsletter: a conservation success story has a sting in its tail as wild pollinators pay the price 210027
Reposted by Tristan BantockRichard Moyse @kentgrasshoppers.bsky.social · 22/09/2025Spent the afternoon in part of the new North Kent Woods & Downs NNR. Was looking for Hop-garden Earwig (a no-show) but did find some nice bugs: Iassus scutellaris, Vernal Shieldbug Peribalus strictus & Asiraca clavicornis. #KentNature #NNR #bugs #Hemiptera @naturalengland.bsky.social 2202
Reposted by Tristan BantockSimon Warry @ginowazza.bsky.social · 18/08/202514 adult Trapezium Shieldbugs were found at Samphire Hoe, near Dover on 10th Aug 2025. 0172
Reposted by Tristan BantockAndrew Jewels @andrew-jewels.bsky.social · 19/09/2025Counted 37 nymphs and 60 adult Striped Shieldbugs (Graphosoma italicum) at Ninefields, Waltham Abbey today. This has been the primary population this year, numbers down in other areas and no new spread to other nearby habitat patches that I have been checking. #EssexWildlife #UKBugs 0293
Reposted by Tristan BantockAJCann @ajcann.bsky.social · 15/09/2025Edwardsiana rosae. Common as muck, nightmare to I.D. :-) #Bugs #Hemiptera #VC55 #Cicadellidae 191
Reposted by Tristan BantockMartine Fenn @martinefenn.bsky.social · 11/09/2025I’ve always wanted to see a Blue Shieldbug, Zicrona caerulea, and now I have! Saw this one on our walk at the weekend. Such a stunning little creature! #InsectThursday #Bugsky 2312
Reposted by Tristan BantockRob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 09/09/2025Does this look good for Ortholomus punctipennis @britishbugs.bsky.social ? Brownfield site, South Cambs. 2101
Tristan Bantock @britishbugs.bsky.social · 08/09/2025Finally made the pilgrimage to Purflleet for Sciocoris sideritidis and Southern Sickle-bearing Bush Cricket with @sjb2010.bsky.social today. 2474
Reposted by Tristan BantockGeorgie W-S @wightmansmithg.bsky.social · 04/09/2025@britishbugs.bsky.social I think I’ve finally reached a conclusion on this bug I found at Spurn, is it just Megalonotus chigara? On the first photo it is on the right, with a specimen of M.chigara on the left. I was hoping it was a very lost Eremocoris plebejus but I think that’s wishful thinking 121
Reposted by Tristan BantockVic Brown @viccbrown.bsky.social · 04/09/2025My first sighting of Rhaphigaster nebulosa (Mottled Shieldbug), in my S. Cambridgeshire garden this afternoon. A recent arrival to our shores, with the first mainland record in London in 2010. Following its rapid northwards expansion on the continent, it's doing the same here in the UK. 1192
Reposted by Tristan BantockMark Gurney @markgurn.bsky.social · 02/09/2025If you want to identify, well, anything, I recommend this post from @weevil-see.bsky.social. His choice of weevils to illustrate it is of course excellent, but it applies to everything from mushrooms to marsupials. This is how you can be a good identifier of things. [Link contains spider] 22610
Reposted by Tristan BantockAJCann @ajcann.bsky.social · 27/08/2025Delighted to come across Small Grass Shieldbug, Neottiglossa pusilla, at the weekend. Not common in #VC55. #Bugs #Hemiptera #macrophotography #macro #OMSystem 0283
Reposted by Tristan BantockBob Chapman @bobchapman.bsky.social · 02/07/2025Mothing continues to be good here in S.Hants, with Lunar-spotted Pinion NFG last night, but top spot went to the ladybird Calvia decemguttata aka the Jersey Ladybird, I got one a couple of weeks ago but it escaped before I got a picture. #teammoth #Hantsmoths 1264
