Striped Shieldbug (Graphosoma italicum). A new shieldbug for me. Seen today at the Foxearth Meadows Nature Reserve in Essex (right in the north of the county). Definitely appears to be spreading now. #UKBugs

I found four Blue Shieldbugs (Zicrona caerulea) in a nettle patch in Abbey Gardens, Waltham Abbey on 11th October. I am hoping this turns out to be a reliable location as I have only seen this species twice before. #EssexWildlife #UKBugs

A recently emerged adult Vernal Shieldbug (Peribalus strictus) with the final instar exuvia still present seen on a nettle leaf in Abbey Gardens, Waltham Abbey on 11th October. #EssexWildlife #UKBugs

A patch of nettles, brambles and dock in a sunny corner of Abbey Gardens, Waltham Abbey produced an adult Blue Shieldbug, two nymphs of Vernal Shieldbug and 23 Southern Green Shieldbug nymphs today 5th October, with Dock Bug and Hairy Shieldbug alongside (no photo). #EssexWildlife #UKBugs

Southern Green Shieldbug (Nezara viridula). At least 10 nymphs seen at Clare in West Suffolk (vc26) today. #UKBugs

Nymphs of Holcostethus sphacelatus (a shieldbug) and Peribalus strictus (Vernal Shieldbug) on Old Man's Beard in the Olympic Park, Stratford on 28th September. #LondonWildlife #UKBugs

Other shieldbugs seen in the Olympic Park, Stratford on Monday 28th Sept; two Mottled Shieldbug, 2 adult and 5 nymphs of Vernal Shieldbug, one Hairy Shieldbug and two Brassica Shieldbug, all seen on Old Man's Beard. #LondonWildlife #UKBugs

#PanSpeciesListing Went to look for the shieldbug that occurs in the Olympic Park (Holcostethus sphacelatus) today 28th September. Easily found eight nymphs on their favoured patch of Old Man's Beard at TQ37758466. #LondonWildlife #UKBugs

Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis) - minus one back leg - Long Melford, Suffolk. The first for the garden (actually indoors). Originally native to North America, this is yet another accidentally introduced species to Europe (which has since spread to the UK). #UKBugs

Still finding new populations of Striped Shieldbugs (Graphosoma italicum) around the periphery of Waltham Abbey this week, even small patches of Hemlock and Hogweed mostly have a few on them. #EssexWildlife #UKBugs

More photos of the two nymphs of Sciocoris sideritidis (a species of sandrunner shieldbug) that I found at Purfleet on Sunday 6th September. Black with a distinctive white collar and some pale markings on abdomen. Thanks to @rockwolf74.bsky.social for the identification. #EssexWildlife #UKBugs

Not everyone's favourite, an insect no less, a pond skater, otherwise known as Pond Strider....

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A confusing array of bug nymphs at Purfleet on Sunday 6th Sept. The attractive stripy and mottled ones are probably a Nysius species, but I can find no match for two distinctive individuals, black with a white collar and pale horseshoe mark on abdomen. #EssexWildlife #UKBugs

Found seven Sciocoris sideritidis (a sandrunner species) at its known site at Purfleet, Essex, along the coastal path opposite the train station today 6th September. Five swept from dry grassland, whilst two were tapped from nearby shrubs. #EssexWildlife #UKBugs