Bugs

[Bilbo_baggin]

Images not particularly sharp, sorry. Today it is very very windy, but I spotted these bugs on the apple tree and wondered what they were. One of them, you'll notice, flew and landed on the bird table, but even that was moving in the wind too! And probably the camera was being moved as well - yes, the gusts were that strong!


The bottom three are Heterotoma merioptera. The broad and flattened 2nd antennal segment, dark ground colour and contrasting greenish legs make this species unmistakeable.

Abundant in southern Britain (I'm in the North West) on various plants and trees, in particular nettles. Both larvae and adults feed on small insects as well as plant buds and unripe fruits.

Previously known as Heterotoma merioptera.


















Paul.

[peterc4]

second one is a belter mate