Box Bug

Gonocerus acuteangulatus

Description

Body length 11 to 14mm. Brown with a narrow, almost parallel-sided, abdomen. Much like a slim Dock Bug, Coreus marginatus.

Habitat

Woodland edge, hedgerows, gardens and parks, where its foodplant can be found. Once confined to Box, but now may feed on bramble, hawthorn, buckthorn (as in photos), or other berried shrubs.

Status and distribution

Once restricted to Box Hill in Surrey, but now spreading northwards and westwards. First recorded in Nottinghamshire in April 2015. First recorded at Netherfield Lagoons in September 2020, as a nymph. By October 2020 there were three records.

Best time to see

April to November.

  • Box Bug - Gonocerus acuteangulatus - September 21st 2020

  • Box Bug - Gonocerus acuteangulatus - September 20th 2020

  • Box Bug - Gonocerus acuteangulatus - October 11th 2020

  • Box Bug - Gonocerus acuteangulatus - October 11th 2020

  • Box Bug - Gonocerus acuteangulatus - October 11th 2020

  • Box Bug - Gonocerus acuteangulatus - May 9th 2023

  • Box Bug - Gonocerus acuteangulatus - early instar nymph - June 30th 2023

  • Box Bug - Gonocerus acuteangulatus - final instar nymph - September 11th 2020

  • Box Bug - Gonocerus acuteangulatus - final instar nymph - September 11th 2020

  • Box Bug - Gonocerus acuteangulatus - final instar nymph - September 11th 2020

  • Box Bug - Gonocerus acuteangulatus - final instar nymph and imago - October 1st 2023