Forest Bug

According to my insect bible this little Forest Bug (Pentatoma rufipes) is a large shieldbug that appears on and around deciduous trees such as the oak and alder, feeding on both the tree and on associated insects. It is occasionally abundant in orchards though more of a predator than a pest. I have oaks, alder and an orchard of sorts so he should be well satisfied! When I brought the laundry back in I noticed him on the duvet cover, so after he had been duly blipped he was put back onto the oak tree.

My brother came to help rake up leaves again and by 2.30 we had made two trips to the tip with two builders bags and 12 garden sacks full of leaves - when we came back home we could have started raking again as the wind had got up and blown a whole load more from the walnut trees onto the lawn - a never ending chore I'm afraid.