To distract myself from world events I decided to clear some of the recently fallen leaves from the surface of the pond yesterday. In amongst the purple loosestrife and field maple leaves was this colourful creature with piercing red eyes.
It's one of the Notonecta backswimmers of which there four species in the UK. Pale elytra with darkening towards the tips makes this N. viridis. This species is often in brackish water but has extended its range into freshwater pools. Must have just paid my small pond a fleeting visit...
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