Parent Bug - Elasmucha grisea

Length 7-9 mm. A medium-sized red/brown shieldbug. There is usually an obvious black patch on the scutellum.

Birch and Alder trees.

Adult: All year.

This species overwinters as an adult, emerging and mating in the spring. The smaller male dies soon after, but the female survives for some time, brooding the eggs and young larvae, which feed on Birch and Alder. New adults may be found from August onwards.

Common and widespread across Britain and Ireland.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.