Saturday, 4 October 2025

Hairy Shield Bugs a plenty

18th September 2025 - one hot sunny afternoon, Andy and Polly M noticed a very large number of beetle-like insects emerging up the fence from behind the lavender plants. Why remains unclear, but closer inspection showed these were similar in colour and patterning, but varied greatly in size. It turns out these are the various instars (or lifecycle stages) of Hairy Shield Bug (or Sloe Bug) nymphs - which start small and teardrop shaped, and gradually grow and moult into the large more typical Shield Bug shape, although all these are nymphs, or 'youngsters', with no adults being seen.

Interestingly, in amongst these were also a different type of oval fly-like insect - small in number and similar in colouration to the Shield Bugs, but clearly different. Whilst we are not sure what these are, it's possible these are some sort of predatory insect, such as an Assassin Bug species, which prey on many species, including Shield Bugs nymphs.

One small patch of the many smaller Hairy Shield Bug nymphs, 
but including a few other 'winged' species

Later stage Hairy Shield Bug instar, and several smaller earlier instars,
as well as a similar coloured winged species

Late-stage Hairy Shield Bug nymph


Life cycle stages (from ukwildlife.net)

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The Aims of Abington Naturewatch

At their meeting on 9 April 2005 the members approved this revised version of the aims of Abington Naturewatch:

  • To monitor and record the wildlife (fauna & flora) within the borders of the Abingtons;
  • To encourage protection of our wildlife, maintain its quality and foster its diversity;
  • To promote awareness of the richness, potential and problems of the natural environment of the Abingtons;
  • To cooperate in improving access to the local natural environment for the benefit of all Abington villagers.

Pat Daunt, Founder

The organisation is informal and communication is by email if possible; members are notified of events from time to time. Contact details are maintained by a small "project team". There is currently no membership fee as costs are covered by voluntary contributions at events.

Members are encouraged to report notable sightings of flora and fauna within the Abingtons to the appropriate sector coordinator and an illustrated record is published annually.

A map of the area covered, with some features noted, is available here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213774935674882866424.00000111dca2be9f06ab8&z=13>

For more information or to join, please contact David Farrant on (01223) 892871.

Contributions to our records should be sent to sector contacts or either of the above. Photographs may also be submitted to Andy Merryweather (amerryweather61@gmail.com)