Box Bug - Gonocerus acuteangulatus
Description
Length 11 to 14 mm. A relatively large reddish-brown squashbug, distinguished from the commoner Coreus marginatus by the narrower abdomen and more pointed lateral extremities of the pronotum. Nymphs have a green abdomen.
Identification difficulty
Habitat
It is exploiting different foodplants, and has been found on hawthorn, buckthorn, yew and plum trees.
When to see it
Adult: All year
UK Status
Historically very rare (RBD1) and known only from Box Hill in Surrey, where it feeds on Box trees, this bug is expanding its range and now occurs widely in the south-east of England and beyond.
VC55 Status
Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland. The specimens found at County Hall, Glenfield on 27h August 2014 are the first record for VC55.
David NichollsCounty Hall23 September 2014
Kate NightingaleCropston garden26 May 2015
Mike HiggottCounty Hall03 September 2014
Mike HiggottCounty Hall03 September 2014
Graham CalowFoot of Croft Hill12 August 2019
Kate NightingaleCropston garden31 December 2016
Mike HiggottCounty Hall28 August 2014nymph
Mike HiggottCounty Hall27 August 2014nymph
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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UK Map
Mike HiggottCounty Hall29 September 2014
Mike HiggottCounty Hall05 September 2014nymph
Mike HiggottCounty Hall27 August 20141st record for VC55
Mike HiggottCounty Hall03 September 2014nymph
Kate NightingaleCropston garden14 March 2016dead specimen
Gary Lloyd FreestoneBeaumont Leys28 September 2014
Mike HiggottCounty Hall02 September 2014
Mike HiggottCounty Hall03 September 2014nymph
