The Cairngorms Up-Close: Gallery
[CAIRNGORMS UP-CLOSE] [DEEPGREEN.EARTH]
Category: TRUE BUGS
Black bean aphid (Aphis fabae)
Group: APHIDS
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 23 August 2025
About: Black bean aphids alternate their host-plant between spindle as the primary host and various herbaceous plants as secondary hosts, including burdock (subspecies Aphis fabae mordvilkoi) and creeping thistle (subspecies Aphis fabae cirsiiacanthoidis). They may be encountered in various corners of Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Juniper aphid (Cinara juniperi)
Group: APHIDS
Where and when encountered: Anagach Woods on 12 August 2024
About: Juniper aphids can be found on the plant in their vernacular name in various corners of Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2024 (1)
Large pine aphid (Cinara pinea)
Group: APHIDS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 6 August 2024
About: Large pine aphids, as their vernacular name would suggest, are relatively large for aphids and live on pine trees. They can be found in various corners of Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2024 (1)
Common sycamore aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis)
Group: APHIDS
Where and when encountered: Blair Atholl on 24 September 2025
About: Common sycamore aphids feed on sycamores and can be found from the far north to the far south of Great Britain.
Editor's note: The individual in the photograph had been parasitized by the wasp Dyscritulus planiceps (the wasp feeds as a larva inside the aphid and then pupates in the disc below).
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Lime aphid (Eucallipterus tiliae)
Group: APHIDS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 21 June 2024
About: Lime aphids, as their vernacular name suggests, feed on lime trees and can be found in various corners of Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2024 (1)
Silver birch aphid (Euceraphis betulae)
Group: APHIDS
Where and when encountered: Craigellachie NNR on 19 August 2025
About: Silver birch aphids can be found on the tree species in their vernacular name, within various parts of Great Britain. Adults are often coated in a pale wax.
Editor's note: My identification of the individual photographed is based on their being found in a stand of silver (and not downy) birch.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Devil's-bit aphid (Macrosiphum weberi)
Group: APHIDS
Where and when encountered: Craigellachie NNR on 19 August 2025
About: Devil's-bit aphids are believed to feed exclusively on devil's-bit scabious. Records are too limited in the NBN Atlas to comment on the distribution of this species in Great Britain.
Editor's note: The aphids photographed are being attended by an ant of the species Myrmica ruginodis.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Bird cherry–oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi)
Group: APHIDS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 28 October 2025
About: Bird cherry–oat aphids have a patchy distribution in Great Britain, at least judging by records available through the NBN Atlas. Their life-cycle alternates between bird cherry and cereals.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Grey waxy pine needle aphid (Schizolachnus pineti)
Group: APHIDS
Where and when encountered: Glenbeg on 13 September 2025
About: Grey waxy pine needle aphids live on Scots pine and can be found in various corners of Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Shiny birch aphid (Symydobius oblongus)
Group: APHIDS
Where and when encountered: Rothiemurchus Estate on 29 September 2025
About: Shiny birch aphids form colonies on twigs, branches, and young stems of silver and downy birch. They may be encountered in various corners of Great Britain.
Editor's note: The ant in attendance is probably a Scottish wood ant.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Harebell aphid (Uroleucon campanulae)
Group: APHIDS
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 1 August 2025
About: Harebell aphids feed on the upper parts of the stems and flowers of the forb to which their vernacular name relates. The bulk of this species' population in Great Britain seems to be in the Scottish Highlands, going by records available through the NBN Atlas.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Large thistle aphid (Uroleucon cirsii)
Group: APHIDS
Where and when encountered: Anagach Woods on 16 August 2025
About: Large thistle aphids may be encountered in various corners of Great Britain. They have been found on a number of thistles in the genus Cirsium, including creeping thistle (as in the photograph), marsh thistle, and spear thistle.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Water cricket (Velia caprai)
Group: AQUATIC BUGS
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 10 November 2025
About: Water crickets feed on small invertebrates caught on the surface of water bodies. The species may be encountered from the far north to the far south of Great Britain.
Editor's note: I am pretty confident of the species identification of the insect photographed.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Heath damsel bug (Nabis ericetorum)
Group: DAMSEL BUGS
Where and when encountered: Garlyne Moss on 19 September 2025
About: Heath damsel bugs are widespread throughout Great Britain but are usually associated with heathland and moorland and found in the vicinity of heather. Like other damsel bugs, they are predators with a robust rostrum (a straw-like mouthpart) and they possess well-developed front femora to assist in prey handling.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Field damsel bug (Nabis ferus)
Group: DAMSEL BUGS
Where and when encountered: Glenbeg on 12 October 2025
About: Field damsel bugs are a predatory species typically found in grassy habitats, especially drier ones. They are rather more common and widespread in England and Wales than in Scotland.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Broad damsel bug (Nabis flavomarginatus)
Group: DAMSEL BUGS
Where and when encountered: Insh Marshes on 7 July 2025
About: Broad damsel bugs are widespread in Great Britain, living in grassland habitats, especially damper ones. Like other damsel bugs, they are predators with a robust rostrum (a straw-like mouthpart) and they possess well-developed front femora to assist in prey handling.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 7 July to 2 September (58 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2021, 2025 (2)
♀ Marsh damsel bug (Nabis limbatus)
Group: DAMSEL BUGS
Where and when encountered: Anagach Woods on 29 August 2024
About: Marsh damsel bugs may be encountered in damp habitats in various corners of Great Britain. Like other damsel bugs, they are predators with a robust rostrum (a straw-like mouthpart) and they possess well-developed front femora to assist in prey handling.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 1 August to 30 September (61 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 (5)
Common flower bug (Anthocoris nemorum)
Group: FLOWER BUGS
Where and when encountered: Balliemore (Nethy Bridge) on 25 August 2022
About: Insects belonging to this species can be found throughout Great Britain. They are predators and prefer lower vegetation rather than the foliage of trees.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 17 June to 25 August (70 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2022 (1)
Tetraphleps bicuspis
Group: FLOWER BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 4 May 2025
About: Flower bugs of the species Tetraphleps bicuspis live on conifers, including Scots pine, overwintering as adults under bark. They can be found in various corners of Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Alder spittlebug (Aphrophora alni)
Group: FROGHOPPERS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 12 August 2025
About: Alder spittlebugs are large froghoppers with a distribution covering most of Great Britain, although they are somewhat less commonly encountered in Scotland than elsewhere. The feed on a variety of woody plants, including alder, birches, and willows.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 12 August to 15 October (65 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Neophilaenus lineatus
Group: FROGHOPPERS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 8 July 2025
About: Froghoppers of the species Neophilaenus lineatus are insects of grassland and are associated with various species including purple moor-grass. They can be found from the far north to the far south of Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Common froghopper (Philaenus spumarius)
Group: FROGHOPPERS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 25 July 2024
About: Common froghoppers are widespread and often abundant in Great Britain. The larvae produce cuckoo-spit as a protective shield.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 25 July to 8 November (107 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2024, 2025 (2)
Drymus ryei
Group: GROUNDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 3 May 2024
About: The groundbug Drymus ryei may be encountered among moss, grass, and leaf-litter, typically on dryish soils, and is widespread across Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2024 (1)
Drymus sylvaticus
Group: GROUNDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 2 May 2024
About: The groundbug Drymus sylvaticus may be encountered among moss, grass, and leaf-litter, typically on dryish soils, and is widespread across Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2024 (1)
Eremocoris plebejus
Group: GROUNDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Glenmore Forest Park on 8 May 2024
About: The groundbug Eremocoris plebejus is a rarely encountered insect, not least on account of the insect's habit of spending time in moss or within the litter of pine needles. The pine forests of the eastern parts of the Scottish Highlands support the strongest population of this bug in Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2024 (1)
Pine cone bug (Gastrodes grossipes)
Group: GROUNDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Recharr on 15 May 2024
About: Pine cone bugs are associated with conifers, especially Scots pine. They are common in various corners of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 11 April to 3 November (207 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2022, 2024, 2025 (3)
Kleidocerys ericae
Group: GROUNDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 8 July 2025
About: Groundbugs of the species Kleidocerys ericae are associated with heather and may be encountered in various corners of Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Birch catkin bug (Kleidocerys resedae)
Group: GROUNDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 4 August 2023
About: Birch catkin bugs, as their name suggests, can be found by searching the flowers of trees in the genus Betula. They are common across much of England but less frequently encountered in Scotland, where their population is centred in the eastern Highlands.
Years with at least one adult record: 2023 (1)
Lamproplax picea
Group: GROUNDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Foal's Well on 1 September 2022
About: Groundbugs in the species Lamproplax picea are associated with Sphagnum bogs. They have been found in a small number of sites, scattered across Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2022 (1)
Nysius ericae/thymi
Group: GROUNDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Tarrig Mhore on 30 June 2025
About: Groundbugs in the genus Nysius are generally associated with open habitats, including those with bare ground.
Editor's note: The groundbug photographed is a member of one of two possible species: Nysius ericae or N. thymi. Separation off photographs is not reliable.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Scolopostethus decoratus
Group: GROUNDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 10 August 2023
About: Groundbugs of this species have a strong association with heather and can be found up and down the length of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 3 May to 10 August (100 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2023, 2024 (2)
Stygnocoris sabulosus
Group: GROUNDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 12 September 2025
About: The groundbug Stygnocoris sabulosus has a preference for dry habitats with chalky or sandy soils and is widespread across Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 5 to 30 September (26 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2022, 2025 (2)
Trapezonotus desertus
Group: GROUNDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Dulnain Bridge on 3 June 2022
About: The groundbug Trapezonotus desertus has a preference for heathland and chalk grassland and is widespread across Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 11 May to 3 June (24 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2022, 2024 (2)
Cacopsylla peregrina
Group: JUMPING PLANT LICE
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 21 May 2024
About: Jumping plant lice of the species Cacopsylla peregrina feed on hawthorn and can be found in most parts of Great Britain.
Editor's note: The identification of the species is based here on the host-plant (hawthorn).
Years with at least one adult record: 2024 (1)
Psylla alni
Group: JUMPING PLANT LICE
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 21 June 2025
About: Jumping plant lice of the species Psylla alni feed on alder and can be found in various corners of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 21 June to 12 September (84 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Trioza remota
Group: JUMPING PLANT LICE
Where and when encountered: Blair Atholl on 24 September 2025
About: The jumping plant louse Trioza remota can be found in various corners of Great Britain. The larval stage of this insect develops beneath a gall on an oak leaf.
Spear thistle lacebug (Tingis cardui)
Group: LACEBUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 17 June 2022
About: These lacebugs take their vernacular name from their food-plant and they may be encountered from the far north to the far south of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 3 May to 27 June (56 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2022, 2024 (2)
Cixius nervosus
Group: LACEHOPPERS
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 21 June 2024
About: The lacehopper Cixius nervosus can be found on or around deciduous trees and shrubs from the far north to the far south of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 21 June to 19 August (60 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2024, 2025 (2)
Allygus mixtus
Group: LEAFHOPPERS
Where and when encountered: Garlyne Moss on 20 September 2025
About: Leafhoppers of the species Allygus mixtus can typically be found on deciduous trees, especially oaks, although their nymphs feed on grasses. They may be encountered throughout much of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 20 September to 15 October (26 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
♀ Cicadella viridis
Group: LEAFHOPPERS
Where and when encountered: Balliemore (Nethy Bridge) on 11 August 2025
About: Leafhoppers of the species Cicadella viridis can be found in most corners of Great Britain, especially in damp grassland and marshy areas.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 4 to 23 August (20 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2024, 2025 (2)
♂ Cicadella viridis
Group: LEAFHOPPERS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 4 August 2024
About: Leafhoppers of the species Cicadella viridis can be found in most corners of Great Britain, especially in damp grassland and marshy areas.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 4 to 23 August (20 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2024, 2025 (2)
Potato leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata)
Group: LEAFHOPPERS
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 5 September 2021
About: Potato leafhoppers can be found from the far north to the far south of Great Britain. As well as feeding on potato plants – hence their vernacular name – they are often encountered on low vegetation, particularly nettles and brambles but also burdocks, hogweed, mints, and others.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 21 June to 13 October (115 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2021, 2024, 2025 (3)
Eupteryx cyclops
Group: LEAFHOPPERS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 13 September 2025
About: Leafhoppers of the species Eupteryx cyclops can be found on nettles – widely in the north of Great Britain and in damper places to the south.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 21 June to 24 September (96 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Ligurian leafhopper (Eupteryx decemnotata)
Group: LEAFHOPPERS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 17 September 2025
About: Ligurian leafhoppers have a feeding preference for sage. They have been recorded in Great Britain only since the start of the present century but now are not only widespread in the south but have reached the Scottish Highlands.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 20 May to 17 September (121 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2024, 2025 (2)
Eupteryx urticae
Group: LEAFHOPPERS
Where and when encountered: Blair Atholl on 24 September 2025
About: Leafhoppers of the species Eupteryx urticae can be found in many corners of Great Britain, living on nettles or other low herbage.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Eurhadina concinna
Group: LEAFHOPPERS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 19 August 2025
About: Leafhoppers of the species Eurhadina concinna can be found from the far north to the far south of Great Britain, feeding especially on oaks but also on some other deciduous trees.
Editor's note: I am pretty confident of the species identification of this insect.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Populicerus populi
Group: LEAFHOPPERS
Where and when encountered: Insh Marshes on 7 July 2025
About: As the scientific name suggests, the leafhopper Populicerus populi is associated with poplars (such as aspen). Most records of the species in Great Britain come from the south.
Editor's note: I am moderately confident of the species identification here, although it may not be possible to say definitively in the case of this organism without recourse to dissection.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Ribautiana ulmi
Group: LEAFHOPPERS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 26 June 2025
About: Leafhoppers of the species Ribautiana ulmi are associated with elm in particular, but they may also be encountered on other deciduous trees such as alder, hazel, limes, oaks, and willows. They can be found from the far north to the far south of Great Britain.
Editor's note: The identification of this species was based on the host-plant (elm).
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 21 to 26 June (6 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Apolygus spinolae
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 3 August 2024
About: Plant bugs of the species Apolygus spinolae can be found on a range of plants including bramble, raspberry, creeping thistle, meadowsweet, nettle, and bog-myrtle. They are more commonly encountered in the south of Great Britain than in the north.
Years with at least one adult record: 2024 (1)
Asciodema obsoleta
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 28 July 2024
About: Plant bugs of the species Asciodema obsoleta can be found on gorse and broom in most corners of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 28 July to 10 August (14 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2023, 2024 (2)
Atractotomus magnicornis
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 1 August 2024
About: Plant bugs of the species Atractotomus magnicornis can be found on spruces in scattered areas of Great Britain. They appear to be more abundant in the south than in the north.
Editor's note: The identification here is based, in part, on the insect being found on spruce.
Years with at least one adult record: 2024 (1)
Black-kneed capsid (Blepharidopterus angulatus)
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Anagach Woods on 29 August 2024
About: Black-kneed capsids can be found across most of Great Britain. They are associated with a variety of deciduous trees – including birch, alder, apple, lime, and ash – and are partly predatory.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 29 July to 5 October (69 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025 (4)
Calocoris roseomaculatus
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Highland Folk Museum on 19 August 2025
About: Plant bugs of the species Calocoris roseomaculatus are associated with dry grasslands, where they feed on legumes such as bird's-foot trefoil and kidney vetch. They can be found from the far north to the far south of Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Camptozygum aequale
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 6 August 2024
About: Plant bugs of the species Camptozygum aequale live on conifers, including Scots pine, and can be found in various corners of Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2024 (1)
Campyloneura virgula
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 30 August 2024
About: Insects belonging to this species can be found throughout much of Great Britain. They are encountered on a range of trees, especially hazel, hawthorns, and oaks, but others including ash and limes. The rarity of males has led to speculation that the species might reproduce parthenogenetically.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 4 August to 8 September (36 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 (4)
Capsus ater
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Insh Marshes on 29 June 2025
About: Plant bugs of the species Capsus ater can be found on grasses in most corners of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 24 to 29 June (6 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2022, 2025 (2)
Potato capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus)
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Castle Roy (Nethy Bridge) on 30 June 2025
About: Potato capsids have a distribution in Great Britain ranging from the far south to the far north, with principal habitats including meadows and hedgerows. Food-plants include nettle and clover, as well as composites such as oxeye daisy.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Dicyphus globulifer
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 18 May 2024
About: Plant bugs of this species can be found on red and white campions in many corners of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 1 May to 30 June (61 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2022, 2024, 2025 (3)
Dicyphus pallicornis
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Balliefurth Wood on 20 June 2022
About: Plant bugs of this species can be found on foxgloves up and down the length of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 11 April to 26 September (169 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2022, 2024, 2025 (3)
Dicyphus stachydis
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 23 May 2025
About: Plant bugs of this species can be found on hedge woundwort in many corners of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 23 May to 4 November (166 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 21 May 2025
About: Plant bugs of the species Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus are associated with oak trees. They may be encountered in many corners of Great Britain, although records are markedly fewer in number from Scotland than elsewhere.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Grypocoris stysi
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 21 June 2025
About: Plant bugs of the species Grypocoris stysi are especially associated with nettle but may also be found on umbellifers such as hogweed. Both the adults and the nymphs feed on plant juices as well as aphids and other small invertebrates. They can be found throughout most of Great Britain, but they are less commonly encountered in the far north than elsewhere.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Heterocordylus tibialis
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 23 May 2025
About: These bugs are among a relatively large number of species of insect who live or feed on common broom. Like their host-plant, they can be found from the far north to the far south of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 23 May to 6 July (45 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2022, 2025 (2)
Meadow plant bug (Leptopterna dolabrata)
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 21 June 2025
About: Meadow plant bugs can be found in grassy habitats, especially damper ones, throughout Great Britain. They are associated with various species, including cock's-foot and Yorkshire-fog.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 21 June to 25 July (35 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2024, 2025 (2)
Liocoris tripustulatus
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 7 September 2022
About: Plant bugs in the species Liocoris tripustulatus can be found throughout Great Britain. They are strongly associated with common nettle as a host-plant.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 24 May to 11 September (111 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 (5)
Common green capsid (Lygocoris pabulinus)
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 12 August 2025
About: Common green capsids can be found across much of Great Britain on a range of plants, including bramble, hogweed, nettles, oxeye daisy, raspberry, and wild angelica.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 1 August to 8 September (39 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2021, 2024, 2025 (3)
Lygocoris rugicollis
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 2 June 2025
About: Plant bugs of the species Lygocoris rugicollis are most often encountered on the foliage of willows. They can be found from the far north to the far south of Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Lygus punctatus
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Garlyne Moss on 11 May 2024
About: Lygus punctatus is a plant bug with a Great British distribution strongly centred on the Scottish Highlands. An association with juniper has been noted.
Years with at least one adult record: 2024 (1)
Lygus wagneri
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 16 September 2025
About: Lygus wagneri is a plant bug with a Great British distribution skewed to the uplands but expanding into the lowlands.
Editor's note: I am pretty confident of the species identification of this insect.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 16 September to 12 October (27 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Neolygus contaminatus
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 4 August 2023
About: Plant bugs in the species Neolygus contaminatus are widespread across Great Britain. They are associated with birch.
Editor's note: The nymphs also present in the photograph are birch catkin bugs.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 4 August to 12 October (70 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2022, 2023, 2025 (3)
Orthops basalis
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 25 August 2022
About: This species of plant bug has a somewhat patchy distribution in Great Britain and is associated with umbellifers such as hogweed and wild angelica.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 2 June to 24 September (115 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2022, 2024, 2025 (3)
Orthops campestris
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Boat of Garten on 25 August 2025
About: This species of plant bug can be found in many corners of Great Britain, although less commonly in Scotland than elsewhere, and is associated with various umbellifers such as wild angelica.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 25 August to 11 September (18 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Orthotylus adenocarpi
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Castle Grant on 29 July 2024
About: Plant bugs of the species Orthotylus adenocarpi can be found on broom in various corners of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 25 to 29 July (5 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2024 (1)
Orthotylus bilineatus
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 16 August 2024
About: These plants bugs are feeders on aspen (and, to a lesser extent, grey poplar). They have a scattered distribution across Great Britain, with an important part of their population being associated with aspen in the Scottish Highlands.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 10 to 16 August (7 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2023, 2024 (2)
Orthotylus ericetorum
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Garlyne Moss on 25 August 2024
About: Plant bugs of the species Orthotylus ericetorum can be found on heather and cross-leaved heath in various corners of Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2024 (1)
Orthotylus virescens
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 11 August 2023
About: Orthotylus virescens is one of several species of plant bug associated with broom and can be found in various corners of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 26 July to 11 August (17 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2023, 2024 (2)
Orthotylus viridinervis
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 21 June 2025
About: Plant bugs of the species Orthotylus viridinervis are associated with elm as a food-plant. They can be found in various corners of Great Britain, although they are scarce in, or perhaps absent from, the far north of Scotland.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
♀ Pachytomella parallela
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Insh Marshes on 7 July 2025
About: Plant bugs of the species Pachytomella parallela are associated with grassland in the uplands.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 6 June to 24 September (111 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
♂ Pachytomella parallela
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Insh Marshes on 7 July 2025
About: Plant bugs of the species Pachytomella parallela are associated with grassland in the uplands.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 6 June to 24 September (111 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Pantilius tunicatus
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 28 August 2025
About: Plant bugs of the species Pantilius tunicatus live on hazel, alder, and birch trees. They can be found in various corners of Great Britain but are less commonly encountered to the north.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 28 August to 30 September (34 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Phoenicocoris obscurellus
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Garlyne Moss on 6 July 2025
About: Plant bugs of the species Phoenicocoris obscurellus are associated with pine trees. They may be encountered in various corners of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 5 to 6 July (2 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Phylus coryli
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 21 June 2025
About: Plant bugs of the species Phylus coryli are associated with hazel as a food-plant. They can be found throughout most of Great Britain, but they are much less commonly encountered north of Hadrian's Wall than south of it.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Phytocoris pini
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Garlyne Moss on 24 August 2024
About: Plant bugs of the species Phytocoris pini can be found on pines in scattered areas of Great Britain. The Scottish Highlands represent a significant part of their known distribution.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 1 August to 12 September (43 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2024, 2025 (2)
Phytocoris tiliae
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Tarrig Mhore on 17 August 2025
About: Plant bugs of the species Phytocoris tiliae are predatory insects associated with various deciduous trees, including elms, hazel, limes, and oaks. They can be found in many corners of Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Pinalitus cervinus
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Speybridge on 11 September 2025
About: Plant bugs of the species Pinalitus cervinus can be found on lime, hazel, ash, and ivy in various corners of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 30 August to 22 September (24 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2024, 2025 (2)
Plagiognathus arbustorum
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 5 September 2021
About: Plant bugs of this species can be found from the far north to the far south of Great Britain. They are associated with a range of plants, especially nettles, and where present can be abundant. Individuals range in colour from pale green to black.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 8 July to 7 September (62 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 (5)
Plagiognathus chrysanthemi
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 5 August 2024
About: Plant bugs in the species Plagiognathus chrysanthemi are widespread across Great Britain. They are associated with plants in the daisy family, including yarrow, ragwort, and oxeye daisy.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 21 June to 9 September (81 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2022, 2024, 2025 (3)
Polymerus unifasciatus var lateralis
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Insh Marshes on 7 July 2025
About: Plant bugs of the species Polymerus unifasciatus feed on bedstraws. Insects in northern Great Britain have reduced yellow markings compared with those in the south and are classified as var lateralis.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 29 June to 7 July (9 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Psallus falleni
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Balliefurth Farm on 11 August 2025
About: Plant bugs of the species Psallus falleni can be found on birch in most corners of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 11 August to 2 September (23 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2021, 2025 (2)
Stenodema holsata
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 1 June 2025
About: Grass bugs of the species Stenodema holsata are mostly absent from the south-east of Great Britain but are widespread elsewhere. They are the commonest member of the genus Stenodema in upland areas, and they seem to be particularly at home where purple moor-grass is dominant.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 21 May to 5 October (138 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2022, 2024, 2025 (3)
Zygimus nigriceps
Group: PLANT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Anagach Woods on 26 June 2024
About: The plant bug Zygimus nigriceps is a rare species with a dependence on juniper scrub habitat in the north of Great Britain.
Years with at least one adult record: 2024 (1)
Hawthorn shieldbug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale)
Group: SHIELDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 30 May 2022
About: Insects belonging to this species are among the largest shieldbugs found in Great Britain. They may be encountered across the length and breadth of the country, although records from northern Scotland are comparatively few in number. In addition to hawthorn, larval food-plants include oaks, hazel, and birches.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 13 May to 7 November (179 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2022, 2024, 2025 (3)
Cow-wheat shieldbug (Adomerus biguttatus)
Group: SHIELDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 12 April 2024
About: Cow-wheat shieldbugs are a rare species in Great Britain, with very few sightings having been made in Scotland in recent decades. The present scarcity in Great Britain is thought to be linked to the decline of traditional canopy-opening woodland management.
Editor's note: It is funny that I spotted this rare species on the day I did, as the observation came during a brisk hour-long walk through the woods to make the start time for an activity in which I was engaged – a walk during which I was endeavouring to avoid any distractions. I stopped just once during the hour, to take a gulp of water, and it was then that I saw the beautiful insect photographed.
Years with at least one adult record: 2024 (1)
Birch shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus)
Group: SHIELDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 26 August 2021
About: This is one of the few species of shieldbug found across the length and breadth of Great Britain. Individuals may be encountered in woodland where birch, hazel, or aspen grows, as well as on isolated urban trees.
Editor's note: Most of the individuals in the photograph are wingless, pre-adult members of the species.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 5 May to 17 October (166 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025 (4)
Parent bug (Elasmucha grisea)
Group: SHIELDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 17 June 2022
About: Parent bugs get their name from the maternal brood care exhibited by the species, with female adults guarding eggs and hatched young. These shieldbugs feed on birch and alder and are widespread across Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 4 June to 11 September (100 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025 (4)
Red-legged shieldbug (Pentatoma rufipes)
Group: SHIELDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 21 June 2025
About: Red-legged shieldbugs – also known as 'forest bugs' – are unusual among Great Britain's shieldbug fauna in overwintering in a pre-adult state. They feed on fluids taken from plants and small invertebrates and can be found in most corners of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 21 June to 20 September (92 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 (4)
Spiked shieldbug (Picromerus bidens)
Group: SHIELDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 2 August 2025
About: Spiked shieldbugs are predatory insects, feeding chiefly on the larvae of butterflies, moths, and sawflies. They can be found from the far north to the far south of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 2 August to 12 October (72 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2020, 2024, 2025 (3)
Gorse shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus)
Group: SHIELDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Glenbeg on 21 April 2024
About: Gorse shieldbugs feed on a range of leguminous plants, including gorse and broom (the latter, as in the photograph). They can be found from the far north of Great Britain down to the far south, but most records in Scotland to date have come from locations near the coast.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 21 to 25 April (5 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2024 (1)
Heather shieldbug (Rhacognathus punctatus)
Group: SHIELDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Boat of Garten on 26 August 2024
About: Heather shieldbugs are predatory insects with a strong link to heather and heather-dominated habitats. They may be encountered in various corners of Great Britain but are scarce where present.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 9 May to 26 August (110 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2024, 2025 (2)
Bronze shieldbug (Troilus luridus)
Group: SHIELDBUGS
Where and when encountered: Glenmore Forest Park on 24 June 2024
About: Bronze shieldbugs are predatory insects of broadleaved and coniferous woodland, where they feed on the larvae of sawflies, moths, and butterflies. They are more commonly encountered in England and Wales than in Scotland. Recent records from northern and western Scotland are suggestive of an expanding distribution, but the species may not be present (yet) in the far north of the region.
Editor's note: The shieldbug was feeding on the caterpillar of a common quaker moth.
Years with at least one adult record: 2024 (1)
Macrosaldula scotica
Group: SHOREBUGS
Where and when encountered: Sluggan (Carrbridge) on 27 June 2024
About: The shorebug Macrosaldula scotica may be encountered running over riverside pebbles, stones, and boulders in the uplands of Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 27 to 29 June (3 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2024, 2025 (2)
Common shorebug (Saldula saltatoria)
Group: SHOREBUGS
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 18 October 2024
About: Common shorebugs are predatory insects. They are typically found alongside waterways, ponds, and ditches, and they may be encountered across Great Britain.
Date range for live (non-diapausing) adult records: 8 April to 18 October (194 days)
Years with at least one adult record: 2023, 2024 (2)
Selected galleries
[ALL-TIME HIGHLIGHTS] [ARCTIC ALPINE PLANTS] [BUTTERFLIES] [COLOURFUL MOTHS] [DRAGONFLIES] [FORBS] [GALLS] [GRASSLAND ORCHIDS] [HOVERFLIES] [INSECTS OF EXPOSED RIVER SEDIMENT] [LONGHORN BEETLES] [PINE-ASSOCIATED FUNGI] [PLANT BUGS] [SHIELDBUGS] [UNCOMMON PINEWOOD HERBS] [WOODY PLANTS]