Parent shieldbug

I decided I deserved a break from writing and preparing talks and gave myself 10 minutes in the garden this afternoon. It was brilliant to find plenty of small insects still active, including this Parent shieldbug, Elasmucha grisea, looking splendid on a scarlet lychnis flower. I'd forgotten just how small this species is - only about 7mm. The common name refers to the level of parental care given by the female. She guards the eggs until they hatch, then stays with the newly hatched young for some weeks, protecting them from predators.