In August shield bugs, so called because of their shield shape, have reached maturity. They usually overwinter as nymphs, which look a bit like the adults but not so shieldy and often quite different colours. Mating and egg laying are completed this month. With global warming some are now overwintering as adults and possibly will produce two broods.
This one perching on my trousers is a Forest Bug (Pentatoma rufipes) with its distinctive black and yellow border at the back, orange legs and mighty 'shoulders'. The yellow/orange dot on the back is just above the exposed transparent wings. As well as running quite briskly these guys can fly. I had a common green shield bug on me earlier in the day but it was too fast-moving to photograph.
Forest bugs feed by sucking the sap of oak trees but they will also feed on alder, hazel, apple, cherry and even caterpillars. They insert a sharp proboscis, usually held flat against their tummies, and suck out the juice.
Here's a common green shield bug.
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