Torphins is a village in upper Deeside, Aberdeenshire Scotland. There is nothing particularly special about the wood, it is a mixed species coniferous/deciduous wood, so things found there can probably be found in many other Scottish, British or even European woods. For more information on Torphins itself and the human population there go to Torphins.org.

Greenfly, aphid.

Found on vegetation in the warmer months.

Gerris sp., pond skater.

Found on the water surface in the warmer months.

More on pond skaters and similar water bugs

Cuckoo-spit, spittle bug

Cuckoo-spit is formed by the young of Cercopis sp., Philaenus spumarius and others in the Aphrophoridae family.

The foam hides the nymph, or young bug.

Nymphs can be seen in spring and summer, adults from June to November, eggs overwinter in crack and crevices.

Picromerus bidens

13 - 15 mm long when fully grown, with 2 spikes jutting out from its thorax.

Found in late summer on shrubs in and around woodland.

More on Picromerus bidens and similar bugs

Stonehaven, Scotland