Hawthorns Ahoy!

The Hawthorns in Leicestershire are just at the bud burst stage, and frankly looking a bit sparse still. Nevertheless, beating the emerging foliage is a good source for some interesting insects. 

First is the charming little Lacebug Physatocheila dumetorum. 

This favours Hawthorn but I have previously taken it from lichen-covered Larch, although the overwintering Larch specimen was very tatty. The Hawthorn this week was alive with these bugs, but the species is seriously under recorded, mostly because of the small size (2-3mm) I suspect. 

If you spend some time on the Hawthorns, you'll also come across the Hawthorn Leaf Beetle, Lochmaea crataegi - an attractive bonus species!