Amateur
Entomologists'
Society

Spring Wildlife

The first butterflies may be tempted out of hibernation on warmer spring days only to vanish again when the sun goes in. The butter coloured brimstone is usually the first to appear and you may also see the small tortoiseshell and peacock butterflies.

May is the month to look out for mayfly nymphs that emerge from the water and take to the wing.

Shaped like heraldic shields with broad flat bodies, shield bugs emerge in May to feed on a variety of fruits and leaves of plants. If you pick one up, don't be surprised if they smell like marzipan, as this scent, which is secreted from the underside of their thorax, makes the bug taste bitter to any hungry birds which will rapidly spit them out!

Shield bugs emerge in May to feed on a variety of fruits and leaves of plants

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