Hydrometra stagnorurn  

They stand much higher on their legs, then  a skater. They walk  not so fast over the water film and stay near the edge of the pond. As a child I thought they were family of my stick insects.
It feed on insects like the pond skaters.
The adults hibernate. The female lays the 1 mm large eggs on plants above the water (some times a year)

 

Backswimmers, because they swim upside down. They use their long, hair-fringed hind legs as paddles. Backswimmers maintain an air supply by trapping air in pockets at the tip of the abdomen. After six hours they need to return to the surface. In contrast of walking, it is a good flier
It is a real predator. It is feeding by piercing the prey (larvae, frog tadpole) and sucking out body fluids. But backswimmers must watch out for toads and frogs.
The eggs are laid singly attached to the stems of plants.  

     German:  Rückenschwimmer  French: Notonectes

Backswimmers (Notonecta)

Here on the dry terrace. So far I had only seen backswimmers it in the pond.

I was on that moment not in my best mood. That night there was tried  to burgle. They had run away, when my woman  was nothing suspecting gone downstairs. Nothing has been stolen, but I had to replace the damaged lock. 
Then this backswimmer landed before my feet on the flags. I stopped repairing and took my camera. After some photos it flew away. That was also a good for a photo.
The day ended better, than it began.  

German:  Rückenschwimmer  French: Notonectes

Except in and on water you find also bugs (Hemiptera) in the garden. They have also a sucking mouthparts known as a rostrum. But instead of sucking animals, many bugs suck plant juices. There are species as aphids and cicadas  and true bugs.
Shield bugs are generally flattish oval or shield shaped bugs. The antennae have five segments. This is the family True Shieldbugs (Pentatomidae). Other similar families are the family Acanthosomatidae, Burrower Bugs (Cydnidae), Shield-backed Bugs (Scutelleridae), Squash Bugs, Leaffooted Bugs (Coreidae)
 
The true bugs have forewings that are hardened at the base and membranous at the tips. They sit flat over the abdomen hiding the membranous hind wings. Hemiptera means “half wing.  They are held flat on the back, with the ends overlapping. (Hardened forewings like the beetles have, but the forewings of beetles meet together in a straight line on their back) 

I was working on the computer, when I was feeling something. It was a green stinkbug (Palomena prasina). (14-4-2007) Outside I ‘ve taken some photos. The name it got, because it has a green colour and  sometimes it releases a foul smelling liquid if it is handled carelessly. (fortunately not at me)
The other three photos of the green stinkbug have been made in September. As a nymph I saw it for two weeks on the same plant (a Solanum). Because I had already enough  photos, I have waited with photos, until it had changed in an adult.
Length: 12-14 mm
Photo 24-4-2010.

German: Grüne Stinkwanze, Gemeine Stinkwanze, Gemeiner Grünling French: Punaise verte

These are nymphs of the green stinkbug. I saw them in July on a seed capsule of a poppy. A week later I have taken a photo of the nymph on the same seed capsule. 

The first two photos of  the green stinkbug (Palomena prasina)  I have made 20 October. The clear green colour is disappearing. The second two photos on 10 November. When they hibernate (also the nymphs) they become brown. In spring they become green again.

German:  Beerenwanze  French: Punaise des baies, pentatome des baies

Striped Shield Bug  (Graphosoma lineatum). Family True Shieldbugs (Pentatomidae).

A shield bug with black and red stripes.
It was in the Netherlands a rather rare wants, but it is seen now more and more. They frequently sit on umbels. In this photo on a celery flower. This bug smells like apples. But the birds don’t like it. Length: 8-12 mm. The adults hibernate.

German:  Streifenwanze  French: Punaise arlequin, graphosome italien, scutellère rayée, pentatome rayé

They are found in wooded areas. 
They are feeding on fruits. But they are also predatory. (insects, even garden chafer) 

Length 13 - 15 mm.
July - December.
The larvae hibernate.

German:  Rotbeinige Baumwanze  French: Punaise à pattes rousses, Punaise des bois

Length 6, 7 mm.
They overwinter as an adult.

German: Kohlwanze  French: Punaise potagère

 

German:  Bunte Blattwanze  

It can be seen in hedgerows, on the edges of woodlands. It is feeding mainly on hawthorn berries. It will feed on leaves other deciduous trees, including oak, hazel and birch.
Length: 13 - 15 mm.

German: Wipfel-Stachelwanze  

This bug also is similar to the bugs above. Yet it is recognizable by the curved and distinctive pinkish-red markings on the back. 

Especialy in the Juniper (foodplant) Hence its name.
The adults hibernate.

   On the other photos the bug is visible very well. But on this photo you can see, it has a good camouflage.

German: Buntrock

Legnotus limbosus is a small black bug with a metallic sheen. Along the shield it has a pale edge.
It is similar to the Legnotus picipes. A difference is the square notch at the front of the head, which only has Legnotus limbosus. Associated with bedstraws (Galium)
Adult: All year
Length 4 to 5 mm

     Foto's 29-4-2010

German: Lederwanze, Große Randwanze, Saumwanze French: punaise brune, corée marginée  

Drymus sylvaticus or Drymus ryeii. 
Family: Seed Bugs or Ground Bugs (Lygaeidae)

There are a number of species. They are very similar. 

I found it in October between the chestnut leaves, which I was weeping. It tried to walk away, however, it did not fly away immediately, as the birch catkin bug.  

In the Netherlands there are a number of species, which are similar. The differences are small. (colour of antennae, legs and wing length.) This species always has  long wings. The antennae and legs are light brown. The thighs of the legs are very thick.
They often are found in damp places, between the leaves and moss on the ground.
The adults hibernate. (Photo 2-11-09) They reproduce in the spring. In July, August, the next generation appears. Length 4 to 5 mm
It is found throughout Europe.

Similar species: S. affinis, S. decoratus, S. grandis, S. pilosus, S. puberulus, S. thomsoni.

                 

Common Nettle Capsid  (Liocoris tripustulatus)
Family: Plant Bugs Miridae

I have seen them oft, but it was difficult to take a photo. (small and moving)
 It is the largest family of true bugs They are small. They have the small, simple eyes that appear on many insects and have 2 closed cells in the membranous portion of their hemielytra.
They occur of course on the nettle, but also on other plants. I have read the bug can be a pest of agriculture and in greenhouses. For plants as blackberry bushes, raspberry, cucumber, paprika, gerbera, Chrysanthemums. Still it is a beautiful little plant bug.

Length 3,5-5 mm. The adults hibernate.  

German:  Gepunktete Nesselwanze  

A common species in Europe.It is usually found in deciduous trees and shrubs. Here I have photographed one on a birch and one on a Redflower currant.

German:  Rotbeinige Baumwanze  French: Punaise à pattes rousses,

I saw an Article, where is told these bugs are a pest. They damage the vegetables in Italy.   
They hibernate as adults.  

Lygus rugulipennis with an other colour:

German:  Rotbeinige Baumwanze  French: Punaise à pattes rousses,

They are variable in color. From green to brown

In late summer you'll find the adult bugs, which overwinter.

The bugs suck plant sap, but also the nectar of flowers.
Lygus pratensis is wide spread all over Europe, North Africa and a part of Asia.

Length: 6 - 7 mm. 

Augustus - October
Length: 9 -10 mm
The first antennal segments are thick.
Color: green to reddish brown.
The photo shows also a Kleidocerys resedae.
You find them in alder, but also in hazel and birch.

August - October
Length: 9 -10 mm

Central and Northern Europe. Rare in the south.

One bug on a feverfew, one on a Green Alkanet and one on a Common Evening primrose.

The light coloured bug is a female.

There is not much to find about this bug.They seem to prefer nettles. But they also sit on other plants. The colour is variable.
The thighs have above and below a black stripe.
Length: 3,5-5 mm

Europe.

A slim little bug with strange shaped antennae.
In June, I photographed the nymphs.
The adult bugs are found from July to September. The eggs overwinter.
It is similar to the Heterotoma merioptera.  But this is a rare wants in the Netherlands.
The bug feeds on aphids and other small insects, but sucks pant juice as well.

Length: 5 mm

Europe.

German:  Breitfühler-Weichwanze  

German:  Grüne Futterwanze 

First I thought is was a nymph. But it is an adult. Nymps are similar.
It has a characteristic band of yellowish hairs across the wing covers. It's an ant-like bug.
Pilophorus perplexus is found on deciduous trees like oak. It is a  predatory bug, but it sucks pant juice as well

Adults: July - Ocober
It overwinters as an egg

Length 4, 5 mm.

.

An older nymph     adult

German:  Prachtwanze, Gestreifte Weichwanze  

Harpocera thoracica  Family: Plant Bugs (Miridae)
They don't look alike, but both are Harpocera thoracica. The left wants on my watch is the female. The right one is the male. The male has a distinctive inflated second antennal segment.
These photos were taken in May. They are common in May. They live about a month. Then you have to wait another year, before you see them again. The larvae develop in about two weeks.
They live in oaks. They suck juices of the oak, but they also feed on aphids.
Length: 6 mm

German:  Eichenwanze 

It is found on oaks and is similar to M. beckeri. It feeds on oak sap, but also on small insects. 

Adults: July - Ocober.
Length about 7  mm.

             

They are very similar (Difference genitals.) Both species occur on oak.
It is a brown-black bug. The males are darker than females. The upper surface is covered with golden hairs. The thighs are dark.

May - August
Length to 4 mm.

A little bug sitting on the watering-can (June 2008)
Other photos 2008, 2009. It is a rather hairy bug.
Some are brightly colored, others drab or dark.
Rhopalus subrufus is often found on low vegetation in scrubby areas. (on many plants)
The adults hibernate.
Length: 7 mm

The adults hibernate.
Length 3-4 mm.

They are used as biological pest control.
More information.

Last Photo: Nymph Common flower bug (Anthocoris Nemorum) stadium 5

Photo below: Nimph  Flower bug (Orius spec) 5th instar.

Himacerus mirmicoides.
The adult bug is similar to a Himacerus apterus. But this bug has long antennae. The Himacerus mirmicoides its feelers are shorter or as long as the body. Usually they have short wings, but sometimes the wings are fully developed.
They are predatory bugs. On the photo the nymph is looking for a prey. (all kinds of insects)
They hibernate as adults. In July, August, you can find the larvae.
Photos adult bug (female) May 24 2009.

German:  Ameisensichelwanze  

German:  Rotbeinige Baumwanze  

When I think of cicadas, think I especially of the insect of the Mediterranean area, which makes such a noise. But there are found species in the Netherlands too. These are not only smaller, but also much quieter.

The antennae are very short. The wings are be held "roofwise" over the body. 
Just like true bugs they suck the juice of plants with the sucking mouthparts.
They can fly and jump very well. There are three families.
Froghoppers (Cercopidae) The nymph produces a cover of frothed-up plant sap resembling spit. They give less damage than the plant lice. That spit has been made from own body juices. For this reason there are few animals, which eat it. 
Family planthoppers (Delphacidae) They are separated from other "hoppers" by the prominent spur on the the hindleg. I have no species on this site.
Family leafhoppers (Cicadellidae). The forewings are relative soft.One or more rows of small spines on the hind  leg.

Froghopper (Cercopidae) A cover of frothed-up plant sap resembling spit.

Widely built. The forewings have a network of small veins.
If they see you, they move to the back of the stem. Although they can fly, they generally jump away if they want escape.
I saw  them, when I was pruning the holly. This one sat on the honeysuckle, which grows near the holly. It was funny, I did not notice the nymph of the bug Campyloneura virgula (family Miridae) on the branch.   

German:  Echte Käferzikade  

Alder Spittlebug (Aphrophora alni) Family froghoppers (cercopidae)
Length 5-8 mm, July-September

He looks less firm as the issus coloptratus.
In my garden it can be found especially on the goldenrod.  

German:  Erlenschaumzikade  French: Cercope de l'aulne, Cicadelle écumeuse

Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius)
Length 7 mm, June-September (Photo October)

The pattern and colour are very variable. They can be also entirely dark. It is likely the meadow spittlebug, but I am not certain

 It can jump 70 cm far.  

German:  Rotbeinige Baumwanze  French: Cercope écumeux

Rhododendron Leafhopper (Graphocephala fennahi) family Cicadellidae
Length 8-9 mm, July-November

You find them on the rhododendrons. Those shrubs I have had since a number of years no longer in the garden. Apparently the spindles is a good substitute, because I can find them in July only in these shrubs. In the months afterwards they are also to be seen on other plants.
It jumps and flies and is faster, then the froghoppers. It  has a less good protective coloration. 
It originates from Northern America. Around 1930 he has been introduced to Great Britain. Afterwards it has spread  in thirty years widely throughout Europe.  

German:  Rhododendronzikade  French: Cicadelle du rhododendron

German:  Rotbeinige Baumwanze  French: Punaise à pattes rousses