Red-legged Shieldbug - Pentatoma rufipes

Length 11-14 mm. A large brown shieldbug which has orange legs and slightly hooked projections at the front of the pronotum. The pale spot at the tip of the scutellum varies from orange to cream.

Well wooded areas, orchards and gardens.

Adults may be found from July onwards, surviving until the late autumn, occasionally found in early spring. Nymphs overwinter - this is the only British shieldbug which overwinters as a nymph. 

This species overwinters as young larvae, which feed mainly on Oak, Alder, Hazel and other deciduous trees. Adults are partly predatory, feeding on caterpillars and other insects as well as fruits. Eggs are laid in August. Adults can sometimes be found in the early spring, suggesting that a secondary breeding cycle may be possible.

Widespread and common across Britain.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.