Hairy Shieldbugs

It is a good job I am too lazy to dead-head my purple bee lavender. They provide the perfect camouflage for these shieldbugs.

I believe they are hairy shieldbugs, formerly called sloe shieldbugs, Dolycoris baccarum.  They are covered in tiny hairs, and have distinctive banding on their antennae and connexivum. During the summer they are more of a purple colour becoming browner as we head into autumn.

They overwinter as adults, often nestling in dead leaves. Despite their former name they don’t have a penchant for blackthorn, but can be found on a large range of plants.

I also spotted this speckled bush cricket on my rhododendron. I think I might have startled her as she proceeded to take a poo.

I can tell that she is a female by the large scimitar shaped ovipositor, for laying eggs, at the back end.