Rarity! Western Conifer Seed Bug

Phil Eyden · #1 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 12:17 AM

I spotted this large beastie inside Dover Docks today (08/09/09). This is an American species that entered Italy concealed in timber in 1999 and has slowly been working its way up north ever since. Only a handful of these have been recorded in the UK since 2007. It feeds on conifer pines and is considered an environmental menace in the US.

Should I alert DEFRA?

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 12:27 AM

Hi Phil,

What a nice find! Oh er - scary pest-wise of course...

Yes, alert Defra. Try here - Defra, UK - Contacting Defra - Animal Health Divisonal Offices (AHDO) and State Veterinary Service (SVS) - I can't find a particularly appropriate method of contact, that's just a general 'Contact DEFRA'-style page.

Keep us posted please

Take care,

Jason

Phil Eyden · #3 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 12:48 AM

Thanks very much Jason - will do.

It was a very large bug, very slow moving with large distictive 'flares' on the last pair of legs. Given that it was found on a window in the port near the freight exit, it is possible that it had recently jumped off a lorry, but who knows?

I apologise for another question, but should I send the record in to someone to record it officially? If so who?

Many thanks.

Jason Green · #4 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 01:01 AM

I suppose you could send the record & photo to your County Recorder to in-turn forward on to DEFRA - maybe the Kent Wildlife Trust? Try Staff contactsxe-xeKent Wildlife Trust

Phil Eyden · #5 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 01:15 AM

Thanks again Jason - emails sent to DEFRA and Kent Wildlife Trust as suggested. I'll let you know how I get on.

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 05:36 AM

I think it's known to be here. I saw my first of these coreid bugs on Saturday- it landed on a shop window in Hastings as we were getting our fish + chips after a days entomology + became find of the day!

I was with somebody who studies coreids at the Nat. Hist. Museum so he was impressed with this find.

tristanba · #7 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 12:36 AM

I was wondering when one of these would appear on WAB! They have been turning up recently in moth traps on Romney Marsh and further records from Hastings, Norfolk and the Suffolk and Essex coasts - looks like these will surely be established in the UK soon.

Adam Cheeseman · #8 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 01:18 AM

One was at Portland Bill, Dorset the other day.

Cheers,

Adam

paulstrong · #9 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 12:50 AM

I found two of them in my loft on Sunday - live in Hove, East Sussex.

Sue0311 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 11:03 PM

Hi,

I found one of these beasties crawling across my bedroom floor tonight (12/09/09). When i tried to catch it it flew a short distance and made a buzzing noise like a wasp.

I've noticed that most of the sightings of these seem to be on the south coast, I am in Northamptonshire, East midlands. I've read that at this time of year they start looking for somewhere to over winter and frequently get into houses.

Interestingly my garden is full of mature conifers, I hope they won't do any damage, does anybody know if this is likely?