Hawthorn Shield Bug

... or to give it it's Sunday name Acanthosoma Haemorrhoidale

This little critter was clinging to my windscreen after a visit to the shops today - nursed her/him home by driving right on the speed limit (a first).

Unlike some insects who can cling on at 70mph!, the maximum permissible cling-on speed for a shield bug is 30mph - not a single mph more - now you know.

When home, jumped out of the car, grabbed the camera (why does the case zip always jam when you rush it?) and all of a sudden it started getting gusty (the air not the insect), hence it's not quite as pin-sharp as I'd have hoped for.

Nevertheless, it brightened up an otherwise cold day day (6C).