This is the Dock Leaf Bug, more commonly known in North America as the Brown Squash Bug, named after its preferred diet of squashes and pumpkins). In Britain it is more often found feeding on Dock leaves, hence its name.
I've just picked one of these little feckers off my head - no comments please!
These are large bugs (related to shield bugs, but not actually shield bugs), about 15mm long and this species at least, is restricted to the southern counties of the UK. I think Worcestershire is about as far north as you'll find one at the moment.
They are red-brown in colour with black-tipped red antennae. Their latin name is Coreus marginatus, (those two words meaning shield and bordered) - an apt name.
Should you ever get a nettle rash whilst out and about, and you find some Dock leaves to rub on the affected area (using the "old wives remedy"), do check for these bugs on the leaves before rubbing the leaves on the rash. When Dock Leaf Bugs are crushed, they give out a "most disagreeable odour". Some people refer to them therefore as "Stink Bugs"; not strictly true. Stink Bugs are a different species that prefers tomato plants, but I won't bore you with all that... Whoops, I just have.
I've just picked one of these little feckers off my head - no comments please!
These are large bugs (related to shield bugs, but not actually shield bugs), about 15mm long and this species at least, is restricted to the southern counties of the UK. I think Worcestershire is about as far north as you'll find one at the moment.
They are red-brown in colour with black-tipped red antennae. Their latin name is Coreus marginatus, (those two words meaning shield and bordered) - an apt name.
Should you ever get a nettle rash whilst out and about, and you find some Dock leaves to rub on the affected area (using the "old wives remedy"), do check for these bugs on the leaves before rubbing the leaves on the rash. When Dock Leaf Bugs are crushed, they give out a "most disagreeable odour". Some people refer to them therefore as "Stink Bugs"; not strictly true. Stink Bugs are a different species that prefers tomato plants, but I won't bore you with all that... Whoops, I just have.
NB. 22/07/07 - I have changed the original photo on this post (from the web), for one of my own, taken in the 'Lower Paddock', this morning...
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