JUNIPER SHIELDBUG (Cyphostethus tristriatus) adult on 04-05-2022 at Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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Click external link here to see identification guide to British and Irish Shieldbugs 

                     

The Juniper Shieldbug (Cyphostethus tristriatus) is of the family Acanthosomatidae which is in the genus Cyphostethus . It has two very distinctive purple red boomerang shaped markings on the upperparts as well as rounded "shoulders" which helps to identify from the similar Birch Shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus) which has squarish "shoulders".  

It occurs in the temperate regions of Europe. In Britain, it has recently expanded its range northward and has become more common. In Ireland, this appears to be a rare species with has been reported from less than 25 locations. Although this represents the first record for Fingal, in all probably it is under recorded.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

COMMON CLOVER SAWFLY (Tenthredo arcuata) at Saint Anne's Park and Rose Gardens, Clontarf East, Raheny, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Common Clover Sawfly (Tenthredo arcuata) is of the family Tenthredinidae which is in the genus Tenthredo. It is on the wing from April to late August over two generations. This pollen eating species is commonly encountered on thistles and umbellifers. The larval food plant is White Clover. 

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DOWNLOOKER SNIPEFLY (Rhagio scolopaceus) male typically found resting facing downwards on tree trunks, fence posts or walls Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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Click external link here for details of Snipefly species found in Britain and Ireland

 

The Downlooker Snipefly (Rhagio scolopaceus) or Downlooker Snipe Fly is of the family Rhagionidae which is in the genus Rhagio.
Length 8 to 16 mm. This common species preys upon a wide variety of flies caught on the wing. Pollen is also eaten. Hedgerows, woodland rides and clearings with associated damp meadows are its typical habitats. The flight season is from early May to mid August. The larval stage, which occurs in soil and woodland detritus, feeds on earthworms as well as beetle larvae.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

YELLOW DUNG FLY (Scathophaga stercoraria) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 

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The Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) or Golden Dung Fly is of the family Scathophagidae which is in the genus Scathophaga.

MARSH DAMSEL BUG (Nabis limbatus) [Female] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Marsh Damsel Bug (Nabis limbatus) is of the family Nabidae which is in the genus Nabis.

COMMON CLOVER SAWFLY (Tenthredo arcuata) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Common Clover Sawfly (Tenthredo arcuata) is of the family Tenthredinidae which is in the genus Tenthredo. It is on the wing from April to late August over two generations. This pollen eating species is commonly encountered on thistles and umbellifers. The larval food plant is White Clover. 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

MARSH CRANEFLY (Tipula oleracea) female infected with Orange Phoretic Mites at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Marsh Cranefly (Tipula oleracea) is of the family Tipulidae which is in the genus Tipula.
 Phoretic mites form a non permanent relationship with their host. This is known as phoresis or phoresy, in which one organism attaches itself to another species solely for the purpose of travel to new habitat and then drop off. In this case the orange phoretic mites have attached themselves to the side of the craneflys thorax. 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
 Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoresis

MARSH SNIPE FLY (Rhagio tringarius) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Marsh Snipe Fly (Rhagio tringarius) is of the family Rhagionidae which is in the genus Rhagio.

YELLOW DUNG FLY (Scathophaga stercoraria) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) is of the family Scathophagidae which is in the genus Scathophaga.

MEADOW FROGHOPPER (Phyllobius pomaceus) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Meadow Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius) also known as Meadow Spittlebug, Common Froghopper or simply Froghopper is of the family Aphrophoridae which is in the genus Philaenus. It has a widespread distribution throughout the Palearctic region and is also found as an invasive species in parts of North America. 

When the larva hatches out, it self-generates a foam nest which is commonly known as Cuckoo spit that can be found on a variety of plant species. After 50 days and a series of instar stages, the adult emerges from the now dried casing. 

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NETTLE WEEVIL (Phyllobius pomaceus) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus) is of the family Curculionidae which is in the genus Phyllobius. This small species has a scattered distribution in Britain and Ireland but can be locally common in some areas. It overwinters as a pupa and emerges as an adult in late April. The adults feed on the leaves of Common Nettle (Urtica dioica) and Meadow Sweet (Filipendula ulmaria) until late June.

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COMMON POND SKATER [Nymph] (Gerris lacustris) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Common Pond Skater (Gerris lacustris), also known as Common Water Strider, is of the family Garridae which is in the genus Gerris. This predatory insect occurs throughout Europe including Britain and Ireland. 

The middle and rear legs are covered in sensitive hairs which detect movement of prey items and the front legs are used to capture victims. After overwintering as adults, they emerge in late April to commence mating and then egg laying. When the eggs hatch, there are five instar or nymph stages before becoming brown coloured adults. Hibernation away from water commences in late October.

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TWIN LOBED DEERFLY (Chrysops relictus) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Twin Lobed Deerfly (Chrysops relictus) is of the family Tabanidae which is in the genus Chrysops.This biting fly is commonly found in western and northern Europe including Britain and Ireland. Its on the wing from early May to late September, peaking in July.

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RED VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY (Sympetrum fonscolombii) female resting on COMMON KNAPWEED (Centaurea nigra) seed head, Togher Pond, Simonstown, Togher, Co. Louth, Ireland

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The Red-veined Darter Dragonfly (Sympetrum fonscolombii) is of the family Libellulidae which is in the genus Sympetrum. It has a widespread distribution and is commonly found in Africa, Western, Central and Southern Asia as well as most of Europe. This species is nomadic by nature and since the 1990’s has greatly expanded its European range as far north as southern Scandinavia.  

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MEDITERRANEAN KATYDID [Female] (Phaneroptera nana) S'Albufereta Nature Reserve, Port de Pollenca, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

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The Mediterranean Katydid (Phaneroptera nana) is a bush-cricket of the family Tettigoniidae which is the genus Phaneroptera. It mainly occurs in southern Europe, the Near East and North Africa. It can be encountered from July through to October in sunny and dry habitats, especially in shrubs and low branches of trees. The males grow up to 13–15 millimeters long while females can reach 15–18 millimeters. The basic colouration of the body is light green, with many small black spots. Head, legs and wings are also green. The eyes are bright orange. Hind wings are longer than the fore wings. The female's sickle shaped ovipositor is about 5 millimeters long.

Source:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaneroptera_nana

RED BELLIED JUMPING SPIDER (Philaeus chrysops) Skala Kallonis, Lesvos Island, Greece

 

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The Red Bellied Jumping Spider (Philaeus chrysops) is a spider of the family Salticidae which is in the genus Philaeus. It occurs in the warmer parts of the Palearctic, from Portugal in the west to China in the east. This conspicuous species with its striking black and red colouration can grow up to 12mm in length and is commonly encountered in warm open type habitat. A wide variety of small invertebrates are preyed upon. On Lesvos, it can be seen from late March until early autumn.

SPECKLED BUSH CRICKET (Leptophyes punctatissima) female on 16th October 2009 at Ballyieragh North, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co.Cork, Ireland

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The Speckled Bush Cricket (Leptophyes punctatissima) is of the family Tettigoniidae which is in the genus Leptophyes. This flightless insect occurs across most of Europe as well as parts of the Middle East. 

In Ireland it is very uncommon and apparently has a very restricted range in the southeastern as well as southern regions but in all probability is under recorded. It occurs in a wide variety of vegetative habitats, including hedgerows, parks and gardens where its cryptic colouration help it to avoid predation. In late autumn, eggs are laid on plant stems and on tree bark. They hatch out as nymphs in May the following year. The adult stage is from August to early November. A bat detector set to 40khz can be used to locate calling adults.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

SPECKLED BUSH CRICKET (Leptophyes punctatissima) male on 2nd September 2012 at Ireland's Eye, Howth, Fingal,Co. Dublin, Ireland

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The Speckled Bush Cricket (Leptophyes punctatissima) is of the family Tettigoniidae which is in the genus Leptophyes. This flightless insect occurs across most of Europe as well as parts of the Middle East. 

In Ireland it is very uncommon and apparently has a very restricted range in the southeastern as well as southern regions but in all probability is under recorded. It occurs in a wide variety of vegetative habitats, including hedgerows, parks and gardens where its cryptic colouration help it to avoid predation. In late autumn, eggs are laid on plant stems and on tree bark. They hatch out as nymphs in May the following year. The adult stage is from August to early November. A bat detector set to 40khz can be used to locate calling adults.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

DOCK BUG (Coreus marginatus) Belarus

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The Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus) is of the family Coreidae which is in the genus Coreus.

VIOLET OIL BEETLE (Meloe violaceus) Pripyat River, Turov, Homiel Province, Belarus

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  The Violet Oil Beetle (Meloe violaceus) is of the family Meloidae which is in the genus Coleoptera .