Wildlife at the North Elmham Cathedral Meadows

Bugs

Species recorded since April 2018: 148.

Coverage: moderate – although a good variety have been recorded there are lots more that must be present but haven’t been found yet. Some types require techniques to find that haven’t yet been employed here. Many of the typical bugs are easy enough to identify but others can be really challenging.

All photos below are of insects found at the Cathedral Meadows.

KEELED SHIELDBUGS (family ACANTHOSOMATIDAE)

Hawthorn Shieldbug Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale

A few records at the Cathedral Meadows, mostly found at night.

Hawthorn Shieldbug, 12th August 2018

Parent Bug Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale

This species was regularly found on a young stand of Downy Birch trees by the railway at the bottom of the Cathedral Meadows, but sadly the railway owners have since cut the Birch trees down. Adults were often found there sitting on batches of eggs and at least 48 nymphs were found there after these hatched on 27th June 2018.

mating pair of Parent Bugs, 28th May 2018, Parent Bug on eggs, 6th June 2018 and Parent Bug nymphs, 27th June 2018

SQUASH BUGS (family COREIDAE )

Dock Bug Coreus marginatus

Often found at the Cathedral Meadows. No special techniques required for this species – just look out for them basking on Dock leaves or nearby (though they can sometimes be found on other plants well away from any Dock). The area on the north side of the field with the chapel ruins in is a particularly good area for this species.

Dock Bugs (adult in first photo, nymph in second photo), 9th May 2018 and 3rd August 2020

Box Bug Gonocerus acuteangulatus

This used to be a rare species confined to Surrey where it fed exclusively on Box trees, but since it developed a taste for other species it has spread rapidly across much of England. At the Cathedral Meadows it has been found along the track (where there is plenty of Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Plum, all species that it has been recorded feeding on).

Box Bug, 14th September 2019

BURROWING SHIELDBUGS (family CYNIDAE)

Bordered Shieldbug Legnotus limbosus

One came to light at the Cathedral Meadows in May 2019.

Bordered Shieldbug, 31st May 2019

Pied Shieldbug Tritomegas bicolor

After a frustratingly brief sighting of what was probably this species, one was eventually seen well at the Cathedral Meadows in April 2020 and then again in the same area in April 2021.

Pied Shieldbug, 24th April 2020

TYPICAL SHIELDBUGS (family PENTATOMIDAE)

Hairy Shieldbug Dolycoris baccarum

Also known as Sloe Bugs, these are often seen resting in low vegetation at the Cathedral Meadows.

Hairy Shieldbugs, adult 22nd May 2019 and nymph 31st July 2021

Brassica Shieldbug Eurydema oleracea

Occasionally seen at the Cathedral Meadows – 3 mating pairs on Wintercress on the railway at the bottom of the meadows in May 2019 and one along the edge of North Field in May 2021.

Brassica Shieldbugs, 25th May 2019

Woundwort Shieldbug Eysarcoris venustissimus

Found once at the Cathedral Meadows – 3 on Mullein along the railway at the bottom of the meadows (where Hedge Woundwort, their usual foodplant, also grows) in June 2019.

Woundwort Shieldbug, 21st June 2019

Common Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina

Often found during the daytime at the Cathedral Meadows – both adults and nymphs have been seen resting on vegetation including a variety of different trees, shrubs and flowers.

Common Green Shieldbugs, 5th September 2020 (adult in first photo) and 11th September 2019 (nymph in second photo)

Common Green Shieldbug nymph, 29th August 2021 (younger nymph than shown above)

Red-legged Shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes

Also known as Forest Bug, this species is readily attracted to light during night-time moth surveys in the late summer/early autumn. Nymphs are sometimes found earlier (or later) in the year.

Red-legged Shieldbugs, 12th August 2018 (adult in first photo) and 12th October 2019 (nymph in second photo)

Gorse Shieldbug Piezodorus lituratus

Sometimes found along the railway at the bottom of the Cathedral Meadows including records of adult and nymph.

Gorse Shieldbug, 25th May 2018

Gorse Shieldbug, 7th and 11th August 2019 (as a nymph in the first photo and the same insect after moulting to adult in the second photo)

RHOPALID BUGS (family RHOPALIDAE)

Rhopalus subrufus

Sometimes found along the railway at the bottom of the Cathedral Meadows.

Rhopalus subrufus, 25th May 2019

Stictopleurus abutilon

Both this species and the next very similar one have recently become established in the UK having previously been considered rare. This one was found twice along the railway at the bottom of the Cathedral Meadows in September 2020, on Yarrow flowers.

Stictopleurus abutilon, 8th September 2020

Stictopleurus punctatonervosus

Found once on Ragwort flowers growing in East Field in August 2020.

Stictopleurus punctatonervosus, 19th August 2020

TORTOISE SHIELDBUGS (family SCUTELLERIDAE)

Tortoise Shieldbug Eurygaster testudinaria

One found in the Wildflower Meadow at the Cathedral Meadows in July 2020.

Tortoise Shieldbug, 20th July 2020

FLOWER BUGS (family ANTHOCORIDAE)

Anthocoris nemoralis

Sometimes found along the railway at the bottom of the Cathedral Meadows.

Anthocoris nemoralis, 8th April 2019

Common Flower Bug Anthocoris nemorus

Sometimes found around the Cathedral Meadows including both adults and nymphs.

Common Flower Bugs, 8th April 2019 (adult in first photo) and 11th September 2020 (nymph in second photo)

Anthocoris sarothamni

Sometimes found on the Broom growing along the railway at the bottom of the Cathedral Meadows.

Anthocoris sarothamni, 26th April 2019

Cardiastethus fasciiventris

One found along the railway at the bottom of the Cathedral Meadows in December 2018.

Cardiastethus fasciiventris, 2nd December 2018

Orius vicinus

Two found at the Cathedral Meadows in autumn 2020.

Orius vicinus, 16th September 2020

GROUND BUGS (family LYGAEIDAE)

Cymus glandicolor

One found on Pendulous Sedge growing by the dyke next to the railway at the bottom of the Cathedral Meadows in May 2020.

Cymus glandicolor, 25th May 2020

Nettle Ground Bug Heterogaster urticae

One found on a wooden fence post at the Cathedral Meadows in October 2020.

Nettle Ground Bug, 30th October 2020

European Chinchbug Ischnodemus sabuleti

Often found at the Cathedral Meadows, at the bottom of the meadows and sometimes on the railway.

European Chinchbug, 20th July 2020

Birch Catkin Bug Kleidocerys resedae

Large numbers (at least 300) found on the Downy Birch growing along the railway at the bottom of the Cathedral Meadows in June 2019. Sadly these Birch trees were chopped down by the railway company later in the year, although the species has been found on other species occasionally since.

Birch Catkin Bug, 12th April 2020

Scolopostethus affinis

One found at the Cathedral Meadows in April 2018.

Scolopostethus affinis, 20th April 2018

PLANT BUGS (family MIRIDAE)

Dicyphus epilobii

Found on Great (Hairy) Willowherb growing at the bottom of North Field in September 2021.

Dicyphus epilobii

Dicyphus errans

A nymph and later an adult found on Common Hemp-nettle growing along the railway at the bottom of the Cathedral Meadows in August-September 2020.

Dicyphus errans - nymph, 30th August 2020 in first photo, adult, 11th September 2020 in second photo

Deraeocoris flavilinea

A nymph found at the Cathedral Meadows in June 2020 and an adult in July 2021, both on Sycamore.

Deraeocoris flavilinea nymph, 1st June 2020 and adult, 9th July 2021

Deraeocoris lutescens

Often found at the Cathedral Meadows, particularly on Oak trees but also Sycamore.

Deraeocoris lutescens, 25th August 2020

Deraeocoris ruber

Found along the track at the Cathedral Meadows and along the railway.

Deraeocoris ruber, 4th August 2021

Agnocoris reclairei

One found on the White Willow at the Cathedral Meadows in August 2020. This species is usually found on White Willow and apparently it used to be restricted to the Fens, but has now expanded its range.

Agnocoris reclairei, 3rd August 2019

Apolygus lucorum

One found on Mugwort at the Cathedral Meadows in July 2018.

Apolygus lucorum, 23rd July 2018

Apolygus spinolae

One found along the track at the Cathedral Meadows in September 2021.

Apolygus spinolae, 17th September 2021

Potato Capsid Closterotomus norwegicus

Sometimes found at the Cathedral Meadows in July; also nymphs on Ox-eye Daisies in June 2020 are considered likely to be this speices.

Potato Capsids, 18th July 2018 and 13th July 2019

probable Potato Capsid nymph, 3rd June 2020

Liocoris tripustulatus

Sometimes found at the Cathedral Meadows when often on nettles.

Liocoris tripustulatus, 29th July 2019 and 5th September 2020

Common Green Capsid Lygocoris pabulinus

Sometimes found at the Cathedral Meadows (twice in early autumn 2018).

Common Green Capsid, 19th August 2018

Lygus pratensis

Often found at the Cathedral Meadows, both during the day and sometimes also coming to light at night. Also a couple of nymphs found on Imperforate St John’s Wort growing along the railway, harder to identify with confidence but presumed to be this species as found with an adult. Even adults are difficult to identify, requiring close examination of the hairs on their upperparts to separate from other Lygus species.

adult and nymph Lygus pratensis, 30th August 2020

Tarnished Plant Bug Lygus rugulipennis

Often found at the Cathedral Meadows, both during the day and coming to light at night. They need a close look at the pattern of hairs on the wings to identify with confidence although other more obvious features can give a good indication.

Tarnished Plant Bugs, 5th September 2020 and 2nd May 2020

Megacoelum infusum

Found on Oak at the Cathedral Meadows in August 2020.

Megacoelum infusum, 19th August 2020

Neolygus viridis

Found on Sycamore at the Cathedral Meadows in June 2020.

Neolygus viridis, 13th June 2020

Orthops basalis

Found on Wild Carrot growing on the railway at the Cathedral Meadows in August 2020.

Orthops basalis, 12th August 2020

Orthops campestris

Sometimes found on umbellifers (including Wild Carrot and especially Alexanders) at the Cathedral Meadows.

Orthops campestris, 12th August 2020

Phytocoris tiliae

Found on Beech by the chapel ruins.

Phytocoris tiliae, 31st July 2021

Phytocoris varipes

Six found on Ragwort growing at the Cathedral Meadows in August 2020, and has also come to light there.

Phytocoris varipes, 19th August 2020

Pinalitus cervinus

Sometimes found at the Cathedral Meadows – but probably commoner than this suggests, judging from the number recorded elsewhere in North Elmham.

Pinalitus cervinus, 17th October 2018

Polymerus nigrita

One found at the meadows in July 2021.

Polymerus nigrita, 9th July 2021

Striped Oak Bug Rhabdomiris striatellus

One came to light during the night at the Cathedral Meadows in May 2019. A really lovely bug!

Striped Oak Bug, 25th May 2019

Stenotus binotatus

One found at the Cathedral Meadows in July 2018.

Stenotus binotatus, 2nd July 2018

Meadow Plant Bug Leptopterna dolabrata

Often found in the long grass of the meadows at the Cathedral Meadows in summer. Nymphs found at the start of the summer are presumably this species too but as they look the same as another species of Leptopterna which could potentially occur here they are usually left unidentified.

male and female Meadow Plant Bugs, 13th and 20th June 2020

Leptopterna sp. nymph, probably Meadow Plant Bug, 18th May 2018

Notostira elongata

Found in grass at the Cathedral Meadows in September 2021.

Notostira elongata, 9th September 2021

Stenodema calcarata

Found in grass at the Cathedral Meadows in April 2019. Females are green; males are more straw-coloured.

Stenodema calcarata, 30th April 2019

Stenodema laevigata

Often found at the Cathedral Meadows – mostly in the grassy meadows during the daytime. Both sexes can be either green or straw-coloured.

Stenodema laevigata, 8th May 2020 and 3rd August 2020

Trigonotylus caelestialum

Sometimes comes to light at the Cathedral Meadows.

Trigonotylus caelestialum, 22nd August 2019

Halticini luteicollis

This distinctive bug was found on White Bryony growing at the Cathedral Meadows in August 2020.

Halticini luteicollis, 3rd August 2020

Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus

Its name might be a mouthful but this is a striking and dinstinctive bug. One came to light overnight in May 2018.

Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus, 25th May 2018

Heterocordylus tibialis

Found on the Broom growing along the railway at the bottom of the Cathedral Meadows. Good numbers were found here in 2019 including examples from nearly all the stages (“instars”) of the nymphs as well as adults. Sadly the Broom was mostly destroyed by the railway company later that year and only one was found in the remnants in 2020. The progression through all the different instars of nymph, and the adult, is shown below.

Heterocordylus tibialis nymphs, 27th March 2019, 26th April 2019, 15th May 2019, 22nd May 2019 and adult on 6th June 2019

Heterotoma planicornis

This bug, with its distinctively thickened antennal segments, is usually found on nettles. It is sometimes found at the Cathedral Meadows but hasn't always been on nettles.

Heterotoma planicornis, 20th July 2020

Orthotylus adenocarpi

Most of the Orthotylus bugs are really difficult to tell apart from one another. This one was found on Broom along the railway at the bottom of the Cathedral Meadows in June 2018.

Orthotylus adenocarpi, 27th June 2018

Orthotylus concolor

Sometimes found on the Broom along the railway at the bottom of the Cathedral Meadows.

Orthotylus concolor, 27th June 2018

Orthotylus ochrotrichus

One found at the Cathedral Meadows in June 2019.

Orthotylus ochrotrichus, 29th June 2019

Orthotylus tenellus

One found at the Cathedral Meadows in June 2020.

Orthotylus tenellus, 13th June 2020

Orthotylus virescens

One on the Broom along the railway at the bottom of the Cathedral Meadows in July 2020.

Orthotylus virescens, 20th July 2020

Asciodema obsoleta

One on the Broom along the railway at the bottom of the Cathedral Meadows in July 2019.

Asciodema obsoleta, 19th July 2019

Harpocera thoracica

Sometimes found on Oak at the Cathedral Meadows in May and came to light in early June.

Harpocera thoracica, 8th May 2020

Oncotylus viridiflavus

Came to light at the Cathedral Meadows.

Oncotylus viridiflavus, 20th July 2021

Phylus melanocephalus

Records at the Cathedral Meadows include one found on Broom and one that came to light. This species may have either a black head or an orange head – until recently the orange-headed forms were considered to be a distinct species Phylus palliceps but they’re now considered to be the same species.

black-headed and orange-headed forms of Phylus melanocephalus, 1st June 2020 and 15th June 2018

Plagiognathus arbustorum

Sometimes found at the Cathedral Meadows in the daytime.

Plagiognathus arbustorum, 6th July 2020

Plagiognathus chrysanthemi

Sometimes found at the Cathedral Meadows in the daytime.

Plagiognathus chrysanthemi, 20th July 2020

Psallus haematodes

Came to light at the Cathedral Meadows in August 2019.

Psallus haematodes, 22nd August 2019

Psallus perrisi

Found at the Cathedral Meadows in the daytime in June 2018. Only males can be safely separated from Psallus wagneri – there have also been a number of records of females that were one or other species.

Psallus perrisi, 3rd June 2018

Psallus varians

Sometimes found at the Cathedral Meadows, either in daytime or coming to light at night.

Psallus varians, 23rd June 2020

Psallus wagneri

One found in the daytime at the Cathedral Meadows in June 2020. Only males can be safely separated from Psallus perrisi – there have also been a number of records of females that were one or other species.

Psallus wagneri, 23rd June 2020

DAMNSEL BUGS (family NABIDAE)

Tree Damsel Bug Himacerus apterus

One found in the daytime at the Cathedral Meadows in August 2019.

Tree Damsel Bug, 7th August 2019

Ant Damsel Bug Himacerus mirmicoides

Sometimes found by torchlight at the Cathedral Meadows.

Ant Damsel Bug, 13th February 2020

WATER BOATMEN (family CORIXIDAE)

Water Boatman can be hard to tell apart from one another and for most species only the males can be identified at all.

Callicorixa praeusta

Often comes to light at the Cathedral Meadows.

Callicorixa praeusta, 8th September 2020

Hesperocorixa sahlbergi

Came to light at the Cathedral Meadows.

Hesperocorixa sahlbergi, 10th July 2021

Sigara lateralis

Sometimes comes to light at the Cathedral Meadows.

Sigara lateralis, 8th September 2020

PONDSKATERS (family GERRIDAE)

Common Pondskater Gerris lacustris

Pondskaters are sometimes seen in the ditch running beside the railway at the bottom of the Cathedral Meadows. There are a number of very similar species of Pondskater and so far none have been positively identified to species level, but I think it’s probably most likely that they are Common Pondskaters.

Pondskater sp., 24th April 2020