P is for Parent bug

21 Tuesday Dec 2021

Tags

British bugs, bugs, Elasmucha grisea, Parent bug, Parent bug nymphs

September was the month I saw my first huddle of Parent bug nymphs, and incredibly cute it was too. I’d only seen the adult bug a couple of times before that, so I was rather pleased to spot another in late October (below right). There is really quite a striking difference between the nymphs and their parents.

A huddle of Parent bugs

21 Tuesday Sep 2021

Posted by sconzani in insects

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

British shieldbugs, Elasmucha grisea, final instar Parent bug nymphs, Parent bug

Seeing this huddle of final instar nymphs of the Parent bug (Elasmucha grisea) made my day!

210921 parent bug nymphs

I wasn’t sure what they were at first but, in case you’re not aware of it, the British Bugs website hosts a brilliant selection of photographs of all stages of British bugs, so a scroll through the shieldbug gallery quickly provided me with their identification. The website is particularly helpful for the less recognisable early instars of insects like shieldbugs.