Box bug

Pete brought this Box Bug Gonocerus acuteangulatus back with him from a cycle ride round the local area. This is a relatively large reddish-brown squashbug, distinguished from the commoner Coreus marginatus by the narrower abdomen and more pointed lateral extremities of the pronotum. Historically it was very rare (RBD1) and known only from Box Hill in Surrey, where it feeds on Box trees. It's been expanding its rangefor a number of years and now occurs widely in the south-east of England and beyond. It's exploiting different foodplants, and has been found on hawthorn, buckthorn, yew and plum trees. I love the descriptive quality of its specific name!