Earlham Cemetery Shieldbugs and Leatherbugs

Earlham Cemetery Shieldbugs and Leatherbugs Created by Stuart Paston (SP) with additional records from Vanna Bartlett (VB), Jeremy Bartlett (JB), Tim Hodge and Ian Senior (IS).

This list of shieldbugs and leatherbugs (order Hemiptera; suborder Heteroptera) found in Earlham Cemetery is a work in progress and will be updated as new information comes in. A list of other True Bugs (Hemiptera) found in Earlham Cemetery has been added to the end of this document. Please send records of wildlife in Earlham Cemetery to us at [email protected] A full checklist of Heteroptera and accounts of many of the species can be found on the excellent British Bugs website. We also recommend Shieldbugs of Norfolk, produced by Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists’ Society (NNNS). Last updated: 14th October 2019. Species Comments Hawthorn Shieldbug Despite its common name this widespread Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale species can be found on a variety of other trees and shrubs. During a survey in August 2014 it was encountered on hazel and whitebeam. Juniper Shieldbug Found mainly on Lawson’s Cypress in Earlham Cyphostethus tristriatus Cemetery. First seen by VB on the monthly Cemetery walk on 23 September 2018 (2 adults) and on 24 September 2018 (4 adults, 2 nymphs). Birch Shieldbug Likely to be widespread in the wooded part of Elasmostethus interstinctus the Cemetery not only on birch but other trees and shrubs. Parent Shieldbug Like the preceding species this will be found in Elasmucha grisea the wooded part of the cemetery where birch and other trees and shrubs occur. Green Shieldbug A widespread species occurring commonly Palomena prasina wherever trees and shrubs are present in the cemetery, often on bramble. Bishop’s Mitre Shieldbug Widespread and common across southern Aelia acuminata Britain in rank dry grassland habitats. Found in a pile of discarded grave flowers and foam on 18 August 2019 (VB & JB). Hairy Shieldbug This species occupies a wide range of habitats Dolycoris baccarum and feeds on leaves , flowers, seeds and possibly fruits of shrubs, herbs and grasses. Found on seed head of ragwort TG213087 in Species Comments August 2014 (SP). Formerly known as the Sloe Bug. Red-legged Shieldbug This species is associated with various trees Pentatoma rufipes and shrubs and the adults sometimes predate lepidoptera larvae. Likely to be widespread in the wooded areas of the cemetery, one was found on sycamore TG211089 in August 2014 (SP). Crucifer Shieldbug White form found in ground layer in wooded Eurydema oleracea area TG214089 on 7 August 2014 (SP). This species can occupy a wide range of habitats that support members of Brassicaceae on which it feeds. Dock Leatherbug Of common occurrence in the cemetery, this Coreus marginatus species can be found in abundance about bramble where it feeds on the unripe fruits in late summer. Box Leatherbug This species feeds on the berries, leaves and Gonocerus acuteangulatus stems of a range of trees and shrubs. An adult was beaten from elm TG213088 in August 2014 (SP). Also seen on 1st September 2019 in the area west of Farrow Road. Forget-me-not Shieldbug Associated with Forget-me-not and Green Sehirus luctuosus Alkanet and may be found feeding on the seeds. Largely ground-dwellling. Seen on open ground on 22nd April 2019 (VB & JB). Rhombic Leatherbug A species of dry grassland. One was seen on a Syromastus rhombeus lower branch of Pendunculate Oak on 13 September 2018 (VB). Turtle Shieldbug Also known as Knobbed Shieldbug. Podops inuncta Widespread and fairly common across southern and central England in dry and damp habitats, it is strongly ground-dwelling and rarely found unless searched for. One found on 18 August 2018 (VB). Tortoise Shieldbug, The commoner of two similar species. Feeds on Eurygaster testudinaria grasses. Now widespread in southern Britain and spreading northwards. One found in Section 3 on 30th May 2019 (IS).

Other True Bugs (Hemiptera) found in Earlham Cemetery include: Species Comments Anthocoris confusus Recorded by Tim Hodge TG212090, 26 February 2019. Anthocoris nemorum Common Flower Bug. Recorded by Tim Hodge TG212090, 26 February 2019. Leptoglossus occidentalis Western Conifer Seed Bug Found on our monthly walk on 13th October 2019. TG204086. Lygus rugulipennis European Tarnished Plant Bug. Recorded by Tim Hodge TG212090, 26 February 2019. Cardiastethus fasciiventris Recorded by Tim Hodge TG212090, 26 February 2019. Kleidocerys resedae Birch Catkin Bug. Numerous in late summer on Birch catkins and seen on several Cemetery walks, including September 2018 (VB). Recorded by Tim Hodge TG212090, 26 February 2019.