Shield bug - ID needed

[macro junkie]

ID needed..3:1 life size.i over exposed a tiny bit and had to bring the levels down in raw so its slightly harsh..trouble is i only had 1 shot at it..these things dont like there picture to be taken..im going to try and get full body shot tomorrow..theres a few of these around by my place.same place where i shoot the damselflies

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/2497118179_b9b64c9258_o.jpg

[Jay Lowery]

i know how shy they are, the instant the ones in my backyard see me then run deeper into the bush/plant there in. great colors on the little guy though

[macro junkie]

im buzzing now..its been id as a box bug..one of uks rarest insects.

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.gardenersworld.com/talk/blogs/post/rj-box-bug-28112007/img1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.gardenersworld.com/talk/blogs/post/rj-box-bug-28112007/&h=155&w=210&sz=14&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=txCcFqpgYuHihM:&tbnh=78&tbnw=106&prev=/images%3Fq%3DBox%2BBug%2B%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26cr% 3DcountryUK%257CcountryGB%26rlz%3D1T4GGIH_en-GBGB240GB240%26sa%3DN

[racketman]

more common in Surrey than in your neck of the woods it was in fact originally only known at Box Hill - thus the name. Is this a definite ID - there are similar species like the Dock Bug?

[macro junkie]

more common in Surrey than in your neck of the woods it was in fact originally only known at Box Hill - thus the name. Is this a definite ID - there are similar species like the Dock Bug?

i was looking a second ago..like u said dock bug looks very much alike as well..and because i found it on a dock leaf it makes me think this could be dock bug..il get full body shot tomorrow...what ever it is it looks cool up close..:)

[racketman]

I see a fair few 'Squash bugs' on the bamboo at work:

http://www.pbase.com/racketman/image/58966002.jpg

Box Bug appears to have thinner front legs than the Dock bug, this is a Dock Bug.

[macro junkie]

its hard to say toby..il get more pics tomorow.

[johnkermit1]

good shot...looks interesting, and unfamiliar to me for sure.

[racketman]

I'll bet you a 52mm lens cap its a Dock Bug.

[LordV]

LOvely shot whatever it is :)
Brian V.

[skylab]

Looks very much like a Dock Bug I get loads of them here. Great shot BTW.

[Attic]

Nice shot MJ of Gonocerus acuteangulatus, I get these in my garden too. ;)

[jaharris1001]

it looks like a leaf footed bug to me, we have quite a few bugs that look like that over here in Florida,, hard to tell just from a head shot though,, what did its leggs look like ?

http://bugguide.net/node/view/147736

[macro junkie]

i went out today but it was cold and i coulnt find any..soon as it warms up il get full body shot to show u guys.

[racketman]

Coreus marginatus (Dock Bug). Overwintering adults first appear in April from among the litter of their host plants. They are most active in May and appear to die out in June/July. Mating pairs can be found Apr-Jly but will not be found during colder spells. The eggs are a beautiful golden colour but no records exist in Surrey of when or where they are laid. Some adults are still to be noticed in early Aug but the maturity of the new generation occurs in late Aug when there is a surge in numbers. Late developing nymphs may be found up to mid Oct. Main host plants are Dock leaves, Sorrel, Redshank, knotgrass and rhubarb.
from Shieldbugs of Surrey

[macro junkie]

i got body shots..processing them now.looks like same bug as u posted..