Black and Red Froghopper

Cercopis vulnerata

Distinctive colours act as a deterant to predators warning of an unpleasant taste if eaten. Found in woodland, hedgerows and open grassland, they can fly and can also employ the back legs to jump up to 70 centimetres. Adults are 9-11mm long.

Common Froghopper

Philaenus spumarius

Very common bug found on a large range of plants and has a variety of colour forms. The larvae produce the 'cuckoo-spit' often seen on vegetation during spring.

Common Froghopper

Philaenus spumarius

Common Froghoppers come in a variety of markings. They measure 5-7mm in length.

Tamarisk Leafhopper

Opsius stactogalus

Pea-green insect sometimes marked with light areas and a scattering of dark spots. It is associated with tamarisk and is 4-5mm long.

Leafhopper

Allygus mixtus

Elaborately patterned and measuring 6-7mm long. This species is found on Oak and other deciduous trees from June to October and is sometimes attracted to light. Its nymphs feed on grasses.

Psyllidae

This bug belongs to a family known as Jumping Plant Lice or Psyllids. They are a group of plant-feeding insects with a tendency to be very host-specific, meaning each species will only feed on a single type of plant. Amongst the true bugs they are considered one of the most primitive groups. Examples have been found in fossils before flowering plants evolved.

Tulip Aphid (awaiting verification)

Dysaphis tulipae

There are over 500 types of Aphid in Britain and most have an association with specific host plants. Several of these aphids were found on Irises and nearby plants at the edge of Hainault Lake. The identity of the aphid shown is thought to be Dysaphis tulipae, a species that breeds in the dried outer scales of bulbs and corms. It feeds on plants such as Iris, Tulip, Crocus, Lily and Snowdrop.

Aspen Leaf Aphid

Chaitophorus tremulae

This Aphid is seen in groups on Aspen leaves. Adults of this species are blackish, while the nymphs are pale green with dark green markings. Ants are often attracted to honeydew produced by aphids, however the honeydew produced by this species is low in sugar content so the ants show no interest in it. The adults are tiny, only measuring up to about 2.5mm in length.

Common Issid Bug

Issus coleoptratus

This species cannot fly. It lives on shrubs and foliage of woody plants. Colouration varies from light brown and olive to almost black. The head, inclusive of the eyes, is narrower than the pronotum. The wings generally show a vast number of dark brown cross-veins with a dark brown discal spot. Adults can be up to 7mm in length.

Common Issid Bug

Issus coleoptratus

This species cannot fly. It lives on shrubs and foliage of woody plants. Colouration varies from light brown and olive to almost black. The head, inclusive of the eyes, is narrower than the pronotum. The wings generally show a vast number of dark brown cross-veins with a dark brown discal spot. Adults can be up to 7mm in length.

Common Issid Bug

Issus coleoptratus

This species cannot fly. It lives on shrubs and foliage of woody plants. Colouration varies from light brown and olive to almost black. The head, inclusive of the eyes, is narrower than the pronotum. The wings generally show a vast number of dark brown cross-veins with a dark brown discal spot. Adults can be up to 7mm in length.

Pondskater

Gerris

There are nine known species of Pond Skater in Britain. During August large numbers are often seen 'skating' on the surface of Hainault Lake. Water molecules stick to each other to create surface tension enabling Pond Skaters to remain on the surface without sinking. These are predatory creatures that stab small insects with their sharp mouthparts to feed.

Aphid Lion

Chrysopidae

Lacewings normally place their eggs on plants near aphids. This means when the larvae hatch they are close to a food source. This picture shows a larva known as a 'Aphid lion'. They are gluttonous predators that attack insects, especially soft-bodied ones such as aphids and caterpillars. This one was about 4mm long.