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

Pleased to find a rather smart Forestier's Ladybird (Rhyzobius forestieri) in a Field Maple tree in Upshire, Essex yesterday 4th October. #EssexWildlife #UKLadybirds

Pine (Exochomus quadripustulatus), Cream-streaked (Harmonia quadripunctata) and 7-spot (Coccinella septempunctata) Ladybirds tapped out of an ornamental pine tree in Upshire, Essex on 2nd October. #EssexWildlife #UKLadybirds

Four species of ladybird in my Waltham Abbey garden today, 23rd September. Single 7-spot (Coccinella septempunctata), Pine (Exochomas quadripustulatus), Ivy (Nephus quadrimaculatus)and two Arboreal Ladybirds (Rhyzobius chrysomeloides). #EssexWildlife #UKLadybirds

Found two Clouded Yellows (Colias croceus) in a meadow in Nazeing, Essex on 21st September, one typical and one pale form helice. Had fun trying to get some upper shots of the helice form, but as usual only a few blurry photos were the result. #EssexWildlife #UKButterflies

A huge thanks to everyone who took part in the EBWS Big County Birdwatch 2026! It was a privilege and great fun to lead some of the walks across the weekend. #EssexBirding #UKBirding #UKWildlife #EssexWildlife

Lots of other great wildlife to be seen during our guided walks over the #BCBW26 weekend including WILLOW EMERALD, EUROPEAN PAPER WASPS, HAIRY SHIELDBUG & IVY BEES galore! #insects #essexwildlife @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

Two Conifer Ladybirds (Scymnus suturalis), early instar nymph of Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis) and a curious weevil with rabbit-earlike antennae (Bruchidius or Bruchus sp) tapped out of a pine tree in Upshire, Essex yesterday 20th September. #EssexWildlife

It wasn't just birds we encountered on our 3 guided walks around South Essex but lots of FIREBUGS, VESTAL, Helice CLOUDED YELLOW & MIGRANT HAWKERS.
@bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #savebutterflies #insects #essexwildlife @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

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

Nice to see plenty of butterflies on the wing around Old Hall Marshes RSPB reserve including WALL BROWN and CLOUDED YELLOW. @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #savebutterflies #insects #essexwildlife

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

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