Weevil or beetle (rare to britain) - please help???

[clarekaric]

Orange legged, flat backed, shield burnt orange, weevil?

I think ive just spotted a very rare weevil or beetle, it was large in size just a bit smaller than a 5p peice, very flat backed but all came to a point in the centre of its back llike a diamond but with about 5 flat faces. The back was a pearlescent/metallic burnt orange/brown shade and the legs were neon orange.

Does anyone know what this is?

[Jason Claxton]

Have you tried looking at Pentatoma rufipes.

[clarekaric]

Yes, this is the type of bug definitely, although i cant find the exact match on images. Is this a type of beetle? Thank you for the response it was driving me mad trying to find out what it was.

It has to be the most amazing insect ive ever seen, I actually thought it was a fake toy bug. It had a shield like back with about 5 flat side all leading to a point in the centre and it was bronze metallic in colour with amazing bright orange legs - really beautiful. I wish I could have picked it up to take closer look but the legs put me off slightly

[Jason Claxton]

Hi Clare

Pentatoma rufipes is also known as the Forest Bug,have a look though at Spiked Shieldbug Picromerus bidens too.They are both types of Shieldbug.

Jason.

[clarekaric]

It looks very similar to the forest bug but im sure the legs were brighter orange and the back more square. Do you know of a website that has a catalogue of images of these?

Thank you for your help

[Jason Claxton]

Originally Posted by clarekaric

It looks very similar to the forest bug but im sure the legs were brighter orange and the back more square. Do you know of a website that has a catalogue of images of these?

Thank you for your help

Hi Clare

I do indeed know of a site where you can have a look at some images,it is called B r i t i s h B u g s,it is an excellent site!

I can't link to it here ,so you'll have to type in the above into google, without the spaces.

Jason