inter-STINC-tus it's there in the name

...today, it may have been dull, and it may have been windy, but at least it has been dry!

This afternoon, we went over to Arne so that L could look for fungi and so that I could continue my search for bugs. The light was appalling and, for some distracted reason, I chose not to set a higher ISO, which made for an interesting challenge.

The cool wind meant there wasn't much about, other than spiders, of which there were plenty, and snails, of which there were even more. I found some more dock bugs but was really after something different, so I was delighted when I searched out this Birch Shieldbug, Elasmostephus interstinctus. The poor light has reduced the DoF a bit more than I would have liked but enough of the bug is in focus to render it interesting. This is an adult, which will emerge and mate in spring after overwintering. The larvae feed principally on birch but can also be found on hazel and aspen.

Some members of this order of insects are known as stink bugs due to their tendency to eject a foul smelling glandular substance if disturbed. In some species the secretion contains cyanide compounds with a rancid almond scent...