Found this lovely little pine cone bug Gastrodes grossipes scurrying around below some Scots pines, near Wolsingham in Weardale today.
The adult bugs overwinters in a secure spot and mate soon after emergence in spring. The nymphs that hatch from the eggs feed on the soft tissues of pine - especially the developing green cones, and reach maturity in early autumn.
Adult bugs often shelter between the open scales of mature pine cones.
Had to look this bug up, they are little...
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
I should've mentioned that!
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