A medium to large groundbug, associated with nettles, with a distinctive pale and dark banded connexivum and tibias.  The head and pronotum have long erect hairs.  Large groups may occasionally be seen on nettles.

Within the Lygaeidae, the banded connexivum is uniqure to Heterogaster species, although bugs in other families such as the Rhopalidae may also exhibit this feature.  Heterogaster artemisiae is similar, but associated with wild thyme; it has not been recorded in VC55. 

Good photographs taken in the field or from a specimen. 

Nettles

Adult: all year.

Common (ref: British Heteroptera checklist 2021, on British Bugs website)

Common

https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Lygaeidae/heterogaster%20_urticae.html