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A dock bug resting on a leaf. It's a broad, brown bug with prominent shoulders. Its long antennae end in dark tips.

Dock bug © Vaughn Matthews

A dock bug nymph resting on a reddening leaf. It's a broad, brown bug with prominent angular shoulders, a rounded abdomen and long, thick antennae

Dock bug nymph © Tom Hibbert

Dock bug

This broad, brown bug can often be seen sitting on dock leaves.

Scientific name

Coreus marginatus

When to see

All year

Species information

Category

Statistics

Length: 13-15 mm

Conservation status

Common

About

The dock bug belongs to a group of insects known as squashbugs, which are related to shieldbugs. It is one of the most commonly encountered squashbugs, often found sitting out in the open on the leaves of docks, nettles, brambles and other low vegetation. If you spot one dock bug, search around and there are likely to be many more in the area. Adults become active in spring, with nymphs developing into new adults in late summer.

How to identify

A large, brown bug with prominent 'shoulders' and a broad, rounded body. The long antennae end in darker tips. There are two small horns on the head, between the antennae, which are not present in any similar species.

Distribution

Found widely across Wales and England north to Yorkshire, with scattered records from further north.

Did you know?

Dock bugs can sometimes be seen feeding on blackberries. They use their long, piercing mouthparts (called a rostrum) as a straw to suck up the juice.