Birch Shield-bug

Description:

Family: Acanthosomatidae A distinctive species, although confusion with the larger and more elongate Hawthorn shieldbug A. haemorrhoidale is possible. The lateral extensions of the pronotum are smaller in E. intersinctus, and are not marked with red, while the scutellum of A. haemorrhoidale is green, and the abdomen frequently red-tipped. This species overwinters as an adult, emerging and mating in the spring. The larvae feed principally on birch, but may also be found on hazel and aspen; the new generation is complete by August. Common and widespread in mixed birch woodlands across Britain and Ireland. Adult: All year Length 8-11.5 mm website: http://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteropter...

Notes:

And my 200th spotting goes to... this little guy. Im not sure what kind of bug it is, but it was flying around my light this evening and was a bit shy of getting photographed.