شناسایی Bugs (Hemiptera)

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Heterotoma planicornis

Heterotoma planicornis

Heterotoma planicornis

Some animals are weird. Just take a look at Heterotoma planicornis. What the point is of having strange antennae like these beats me. And probably everyone else, for there are no explanations whatsoever, not even on the internet. The species appears in many gardens, but you have to look for it carefully, because it is a very small bug, reaching some 4 mm only. It is closely related to the species above and is hairy as well. In this case however the hairs are much shorter. The adults appear from July to September. This species hunts for other small insects, but will suck on plants as well when there is a lack of prey. A very common species in many gardens. Thanks to Han Endt who pointed out to us that this actually is Heterotoma planicornis and not Heterotoma merioptera as we thought. Both animals are almost identical, but H. merioptera is an eastern species. Many insect guides however depict this animal in stead of Heterotoma planicornis.

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Campyloneura virgula

Campyloneura virgula

Campyloneura virgula

Usually reaching a length of some 4mm Campyloneura virgula is very small indeed. Characteristic are the two small yellow dots on the front wings, just before the hardened part ends. One rarely gets a good look at it, for it is one of the swiftest runners among the plant bugs. However every now and then it might bite a human, thus exposing itself for a while. The curious thing about this species is that we hardly ever see a male. It is speculated that this species reproduces without mating. It is a predator that hunts for small insects, including aphids and red mites. It is the adult overwintering. Campyloneura virgula is a common species on numerous deciduous trees all over Europe, including all of the British Isles. Has been introduced to the United States of America, where it is well established on the West Coast.

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Plagiognathus arbustorum

Plagiognathus arbustorum

Plagiognathus arbustorum

This is a bug we were unable to identify for a long time. Its tiny size is almost beyond our camera's reach. Yet is kept on appearing on our roses. Thanks to Han Endt we now know it is Plagiognathus arbustorum. There is not much information about this species in our books or on the internet. We do know that it is sometimes considered to be a pest on strawberry. We also learned Plagiognathus arbustorum is a common species all over Europe, including the northern parts of Scandinavia.

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Dichrooscytus rufipennis

Dichrooscytus rufipennis

Dichrooscytus rufipennis

The genus Dichrooscytus is comprised of 4 species in Europe. These are all quite similar. The animals are mainly green and have greenish red wings. They all live on pines exclusively and their colouring is good camouflage. Dichrooscytus rufipennis lives on Scots Pine only and is the biggest of the four species, measuring some 6 mm. Females deposit their eggs in autumn, but the eggs do not hatch before spring next year. The larvae can be seen from April, adults appear in June. They would lead a rather obscure life normally, but they are attracted to light. And so they are often among the catches of moth collectors. On Scots Pine the animals suck on flowers and fresh cones. Dichrooscytus rufipennis is a species typical of the moderate zone: uncommon in both Northern and Southern Europe, but very common in Central Europe (including the British Isles), Russia, parts of Asia and Northern America, where they have been imported.

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Rhabdomiris striatellus

Rhabdomiris striatellus

Rhabdomiris striatellus

Rhabdomiris striatellus comes in two varieties. The first is the light variety as in the pictures on this page. This light variety is easily identified. There also is a dark variety, which is very similar to Miris striatus, a related species. The neck shield is black with three thin yellow lines. The scutellum is mainly black, only the tip is yellowish. And the uppershields are black with a few yellow lines only. The differences between the two species are easy to see though. On the neck shield Rhabdomiris striatellus has a thin yellow line. Miris striatus has a bigger diamond shaped yellow marking. Miris stratius als has a conspicuous white ring in the middle of the antennae. The antennae of the dark variety of Rhabdomiris striatellus are entirely black. Rhabdomiris striatellus reaches a length of some 7 to 9 mm.

The eggs are being laid in the first part of June mainly. They are deposited in flower buds. And they remain there for a very long time. They overwinter and only hatch in March or April of the next year. The larvae come in two colour schemes: yellow with brown and black markings, or red with white and brown markings. They grow rapidly indeed, sucking on the flowers and freshly developing seeds of the host plant. By the middle of May the first adults appear. The only hostplants of Rhabdomiris striatellus are trees from the genus Quercus, better known as oak.

The adult animals are able flyers and they like to fly. Soon they may be discovered on many plants, not just oak. They are even interested in conifers. This is mainly due to a radical change in diet, for the adults are carnivores, hunting for aphids, the larvae of other bugs and cicadas and the caterpillars of Tortrix Moths. The females have to return to aoks however to deposit their eggs. Males of Rhabdomiris striatellus are short lived. Most of them have died by the middle of June. Females may live to see the mid of July. By the way: this species only needs one oak tree to settle in. A forest with lots of oaks will do too, of course. Rhabdomiris striatellus is common in moderate Europe, Western Asia and the Caucasus. Very common all over Britain near oak.

Until recently this species has been known as Calocoris striatellus. In the past it was also called Calocoris quadripunctatus and Calocoris ochromelas.

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Shieldbugs (Various families)

Shieldbugs (Various families)

Probably the shield bugs are among the best known bugs in everybody's garden. They are named after their shape, which does remind one of the shields, knights used to defend themselves with in medieval times. Scientifically however they are not one family. Usually four families are considered belonging to the shield bugs, because of their shape and the fact that their antennae are comprised of five elements each. First of all we have the True Shieldbugs (Pentatomidae). They can be told apart from the other families by their large scutellum or shield, the triangular shield immediately behind the thorax shield. The Acanthosomatidae is the second family we consider being shield bugs. Having no common English names the members of this family usually are also referred to as shield bugs. Bigger species certainly do look like shield bugs, but many smaller species do not. The Burrowing Bugs, also called Burrower Bugs (Cydnidae) and the Shield-backed Bugs (Scutelleridae) are also part of the shield bugs, but both families are much smaller than the previous ones. Because many members of the Squash Bugs and Leaffooted Bugs (family Coreidae) really do look like the shield bugs, we have placed them on this page, for most people will look for them among the shield bugs anyway.


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Green Shield Bug Palomena prasina

Green Shield Bug Palomena prasina

Green Shield Bug Palomena prasina

Family: Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae)

Perhaps the best known of all bugs is this Green Shield Bug, often called the Green Stink Bug. The species is encountered in gardens regularly, especially in spring and autumn. It is bright green and some 12 to 14 mm in length. The adults and larvae both are capable of overwintering. Most of them turn brown just before that. After hibernation it takes them about a week or two to turn completely green again. In the second picture from the top you see ananimal in transition from brown to green. There are a number of other green species looking exactly like the Green Shield Bug. Most of them are not as common in Europe and absent on the British Isles. Many of these species can be told apart by studying the colours and length of the segments of the antennae.

Green Stink Bugs mate by establishing contact between their rear end opposing eachother. This is common in bugs. The male doesn't climb on the female, making it very difficult to tell which is the male and which is the female. Actually the two ***es do not show any difference in appearance. The female lays her eggs in small groups on the reverse side of a leaf. The young that hatch do not look like their parents at all, for they are wingless and green with big black spots. Very soon they change their skin for the first time.

After changing their skin for the first time, the larvae become green with less black markings. After a few skin changes more, the black disappears and the young turn completely green, except for some small white or light green markings on the back. If necessary the young may overwinter as well and they also turn brown in such an event. This species often overwinters in small groups. It is a remarkable phenomenon that in such a group usually one or two animals didn't turn brown and overwinter in their original green colour. We do not know why that is so. The nymphs look like beetles very much and many people actually report them as unknown beetles. But when you look closely you will see that the larvae lack the seam found on beetles where the two shields meet. Once you know this you can tell bug larvae apart from beetles by just one glance.

This species is not called Green Stink Bug for nothing. First of all it is green indeed and secondly it produces a stinking liquid. That's why it is such an unwanted animal. It not only produces this perfume when in danger, like lady beetles do. Everywhere it goes it leaves behind a stinking trail. You often notice this picking blackberries. Suddenly you pick a smelly one, tasting awfully when eaten. Usually a Green Stink Bug was there before you were. Green Shield Bugs have only very few natural enemies. It is a very common species all over the British Isles and on the continent as well.

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Green Shield Bug Palomena prasina

Green Shield Bug Palomena prasina

Green Shield Bug Palomena prasina

Family: Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae)


Perhaps the best known of all bugs is this Green Shield Bug, often called the Green Stink Bug. The species is encountered in gardens regularly, especially in spring and autumn. It is bright green and some 12 to 14 mm in length. The adults and larvae both are capable of overwintering. Most of them turn brown just before that. After hibernation it takes them about a week or two to turn completely green again. In the second picture from the top you see ananimal in transition from brown to green. There are a number of other green species looking exactly like the Green Shield Bug. Most of them are not as common in Europe and absent on the British Isles. Many of these species can be told apart by studying the colours and length of the segments of the antennae.

Green Stink Bugs mate by establishing contact between their rear end opposing eachother. This is common in bugs. The male doesn't climb on the female, making it very difficult to tell which is the male and which is the female. Actually the two ***es do not show any difference in appearance. The female lays her eggs in small groups on the reverse side of a leaf. The young that hatch do not look like their parents at all, for they are wingless and green with big black spots. Very soon they change their skin for the first time.

After changing their skin for the first time, the larvae become green with less black markings. After a few skin changes more, the black disappears and the young turn completely green, except for some small white or light green markings on the back. If necessary the young may overwinter as well and they also turn brown in such an event. This species often overwinters in small groups. It is a remarkable phenomenon that in such a group usually one or two animals didn't turn brown and overwinter in their original green colour. We do not know why that is so. The nymphs look like beetles very much and many people actually report them as unknown beetles. But when you look closely you will see that the larvae lack the seam found on beetles where the two shields meet. Once you know this you can tell bug larvae apart from beetles by just one glance.

This species is not called Green Stink Bug for nothing. First of all it is green indeed and secondly it produces a stinking liquid. That's why it is such an unwanted animal. It not only produces this perfume when in danger, like lady beetles do. Everywhere it goes it leaves behind a stinking trail. You often notice this picking blackberries. Suddenly you pick a smelly one, tasting awfully when eaten. Usually a Green Stink Bug was there before you were. Green Shield Bugs have only very few natural enemies. It is a very common species all over the British Isles and on the continent as well.

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Blue Bug Zicrona caerulea

Blue Bug Zicrona caerulea

Blue Bug Zicrona caerulea

Family: Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae)

The name of the Blue Bug is very well choosen. For usually it is greenish blue metallic. Like so many other animals with metallic colouring, the colour may vary. In this case it may be greenish, copperlike, blue or lilac. This depends on the reflection of the light. But usually the Blue Bug doesn't show a lot of variation in colouring. The larvae are very different. They are black with patches of red on the abdomen. Adult Blue Bugs are capable of flying, but rarely do so. Reaching a length of 5 to 8mm, this is our smallest Shield Bug. Often it isn't even noticed, because of the size and the reclusive conduct.

The first Blue Bug larvae are usually seen in late spring. Like the adults they suck on insect larvae, as well as on plants. In our garden they hunt for the larvae of Altica oleracea mainly. That is a small, blueish Leaf Beetle that lives on our Primroses in great numbers. The Blue Bug will not visit all gardens, though, for it loves heaths, moors and the edges of forests and is only found nearby such areas.

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Blue Bug Zicrona caerulea

Blue Bug Zicrona caerulea

Blue Bug Zicrona caerulea

Family: Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae)

The name of the Blue Bug is very well choosen. For usually it is greenish blue metallic. Like so many other animals with metallic colouring, the colour may vary. In this case it may be greenish, copperlike, blue or lilac. This depends on the reflection of the light. But usually the Blue Bug doesn't show a lot of variation in colouring. The larvae are very different. They are black with patches of red on the abdomen. Adult Blue Bugs are capable of flying, but rarely do so. Reaching a length of 5 to 8mm, this is our smallest Shield Bug. Often it isn't even noticed, because of the size and the reclusive conduct.

The first Blue Bug larvae are usually seen in late spring. Like the adults they suck on insect larvae, as well as on plants. In our garden they hunt for the larvae of Altica oleracea mainly. That is a small, blueish Leaf Beetle that lives on our Primroses in great numbers. The Blue Bug will not visit all gardens, though, for it loves heaths, moors and the edges of forests and is only found nearby such areas.

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Striped Shieldbug Graphosoma lineatum

Striped Shieldbug Graphosoma lineatum

Striped Shieldbug Graphosoma lineatum


Family: Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae)

The Striped Shieldbug is easily identified. It is a black bug with five distinct red lines on the pronotum. Or the other way around if you want... On the underside the Striped Shieldbug is red as well, but here it has black spots, not lines. Even though it is closely related to the Green Stinkbug and other foul smelling bugs, the Striped Shieldbug rather smells like apples. The taste however apparently appals all birds. In the Mediterranean there is another black and red species called Graphosoma semipunctatum. It is very similar except that on the pronotum it has 10 black dots, rather than lines. The larvae of the Striped Shieldbug are brownish and less conspicuous. Still it is not difficult to identify them, for a broad light line runs from the nose backwards to the end of the scutellum. The Striped Shieldbug is between 8 and 12mm long.

The eggs are being laid in spring. Larvae can be seen from June to September. In July the first adults may appear. This means that during most of summer and the beginning of autumn the animals may be seen in all stages of life, often in small groups. When the weather is bad as well as during hibernation the adults seek shelter, usually in crevices of trees. Both the larvae and the adults are fond of plants in the Carrot Family (Apiaceae), like the Wild Carrot and Chervils. Even though most of their food is obtained by sucking on plants, the nymphs will occasionally suck on larvae of other insects. The Striped Shield Bug is in hibernation for a rather long period of time: the animals are rarely seen from October to May.

The Striped Shieldbug is a Mediterranean species originally. In the eighties and nineties of the past century it suddenly moved northwards succesfully. Germany and Belgium were reached in the eighties, Holland and Denmark in the nineties. We do not know its current spreading in Britain. We do know though that it has reached the USA recently (New England). It favours dry, sandy soils.

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Sloe Bug Dolycoris baccarum

Sloe Bug Dolycoris baccarum

Sloe Bug Dolycoris baccarum

Family: Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae)

The Sloe Bug is a rather variable creature. The basic colour is a kind of dark Burgundy red with a fine, black punctation. The end of the scutellum is always bright yellowish white and not punctuated. The remainder of the scutellum is extremely variable in colour: sometimes burgundy red just as the rest of the bodu, but usuallly yellowish or greenish. Still this is an umistakable species, because it is one of the very few shield bugs in our part of the world with antennae ringed like this.The rings are about both the end of one segment and the beginning of the next. This way they give the impression of being "double". The length is quite characteristic for our Shield Bugs: some 10 to 15mm.

The eggs are deposited in spring. In summer we'll see the larvae of the Sloe Bug on various plants, especially those of the Rose-family. Neither the larvae nor the adults have ever been seen feeding on Sloe. The background of the vernacular name is stowed away in darkness. The larvae of the Sloe Bug are similar to the larvae of the Green Shieldbug, except for the basic colour being brown. By the end of summer the adults appear. As they are able to fly about, they can soon be found on shrubs bearing berries. Flying is painfully slow while producing a low humming sound. The adult animals overwinter.

Of all the stink bugs this one is the worst. It really loves berries, especially Honeysuckle and Raspberries. It walks all over them, leaving behind an awful stinking substance. This makes all berries it walked over inedible. Like in other Stink Bugs the substance is made for protection. A bird or other enemy will eat only one bug in its entire live. Afterwards it will always remember the dreadful taste and will never touch another bug again.

The Sloe Bug is a very common bug in southern parts of Engeland and Wales, getting scarcer going northwards. Not found in Scotland. Common over most of Europe and Central Asia, but not in northern areas. Not only found in fields, but in forests, parks and gardens too, sometimes in great numbers. Usually not as abundant as the Green Stinkbug.

The Sloe Bug is sometimes called the Hairy Bug, which actually is a more suitable name.

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Troilus luridus

Troilus luridus

Troilus luridus

Family: Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae)

Troilus luridus is another greenish shield bug, looking like the Green Shield Bug very much. He's probably often mistaken for one, because we couldn't find a common English name. It does have a beautiful scientific name though. The green colour is not of the same kind of bright green the Green Shield Bug is. Troilus luridus can best be identified by the striking yellow patches in the antennae. It measures some 10 to 13 mm. It is a predator hunting for caterpillars, beetle larvae etc. It is even cultivated to serve as pest controller in agriculture. The older larvae are beautifully coloured and therefor don't look like the adults very much. Younger larvae are less well marked and much darker. Troilus luridus is a common shieldbug all over Europe, but never seen in very great numbers.

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Troilus luridus

Troilus luridus

Troilus luridus

Family: Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae)

Troilus luridus is another greenish shield bug, looking like the Green Shield Bug very much. He's probably often mistaken for one, because we couldn't find a common English name. It does have a beautiful scientific name though. The green colour is not of the same kind of bright green the Green Shield Bug is. Troilus luridus can best be identified by the striking yellow patches in the antennae. It measures some 10 to 13 mm. It is a predator hunting for caterpillars, beetle larvae etc. It is even cultivated to serve as pest controller in agriculture. The older larvae are beautifully coloured and therefor don't look like the adults very much. Younger larvae are less well marked and much darker. Troilus luridus is a common shieldbug all over Europe, but never seen in very great numbers.

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Arma custos

Arma custos

Arma custos

Family: Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae)

This brown shield bug looks like a spitting image of the Dock Leaf Bug above. The differences between the species are explained in the information about that species. The main difference is the end of the antenna: yellowish red in Arma custos, dark brown in the Dock Leaf Bug. Arma custos is not a British species and on the continent it is not as common as the Brown Squash Bug and usually a little smaller, reaching a length of 10 to 14 mm. The colour of Arma custos is variable. It may be light brown, but could be very dark brown as well, especially after hibernation. Or it is a shade of brown in between. It is a formidable hunter, feeding exclusively on other insects. It loves small beetles and is really fond of weevils. In Holland it is called the Weevil Bug. Its long sharp snout is capable of penetrating a beetle in the softer parts, especially the loins. Arma custos is being investigated for its possible use in agriculture..

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Bishop's Mitre Shield Bug Aelia acuminata

Bishop's Mitre Shield Bug Aelia acuminata

Bishop's Mitre Shield Bug Aelia acuminata

Family: Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae)

It is being said about the Geometer Worms, a moth family, that they have relatively large wings. But it is not exactly true when dealing with pugs. Nature often invents as many rules as exceptions. The Bishop's Mitre Shield Bug actually is one of those inevitable exceptions to the rule: shield bugs look like medieval shields. But this one rather looks like a bishop's mitre and so it was given it's curious name. It is a common species, especially in lawns and unmowed grass, as well as in corn fields, where it even can do so damage. A very common species all through Britain. There are three species of mitre shield bugs in Europe all together, but the other two can only be found around the Mediterranean.

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Cabbage Bug Eurydema oleracea

Cabbage Bug Eurydema oleracea

Cabbage Bug Eurydema oleracea

Family: Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae)

One of the most dreaded shield bugs by farmers is the Cabbage Bug, also known as Brassica Bug. Especially when appearing in great numbers it may be very harmful to cabbage plants. It is one of the many white or red spotted black bugs. Characteristic are the white spot at the neck shield and the three white spots on the back. Two of these are on the wings, the third sits at the end of the scutellum, but together the spots are in one neat line. By the way: these spots may be red as well, but we haven't seen a red-spotted one in our garden yet. The Cabbage Bug eats almost everything. It loves to stick its snout into a plant, but will eat other insects as well and even other Cabbage Bugs are on his menue. It is a small species, reaching some 5 to 8 mm only. A very common species all over Europe, including all of the British Isles.

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Raphigaster nebulosa

Raphigaster nebulosa

Raphigaster nebulosa

Family: Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae)

The larvae of shield bugs often are quite difficult to identify. They don't look much like their parents, but often resemble ones from other species. And what's more: after each moulding many of them change their colour and thus their appearance. So we are very glad Dr. Wolfgang Rabitsch was able to tell us the name of the species below. It is highly probable this is a larva of Raphigaster nebulosa, a species without common English name. The adults do look like Troilus luridus a lot. Reaching a length of 14 to 16 mm., they are bigger though. Besides their antennae have two yellow bands. In the larvae these bands are not visible. Raphigaster nebulosa too sucks on both: plants and other insects. Is often found sucking on hazles, sometimes becoming a pest when appearing in great numbers. This is a species of woodlands mainly, but it is also seen on walls of houses and sheds. Sometimes found indoors in autumn, seeking a place to overwinter. Raphigaster nebulosa likes to overwinter on ivy-clad walls, fences and trees. A common species in most parts of Europe, but not present in the northern areas. We do not know anything about its presence in the UK and Ireland.

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Forest Bug Pentatoma rufipes

Forest Bug Pentatoma rufipes

Forest Bug Pentatoma rufipes

Family: Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae)

The Forest Bug never showed up in our garden untill the fall of 2004. Suddenly two of them, only days apart. This fairly big bug is not difficult to identify. Just look at the impressive shoulders, the deep brown colour and the attractive an distinctive yellowish spot at the end of the scutellum. All legs are strikingly reddish and the last segments of its antennae are darker than the first three. The fact that we never saw it before, does not mean that this is a rare animal. The Forest Bug rather lives high up in trees and bushes and is rarely seen. Yet this is a common species all over the British Isles. It sometimes sucks on leaves and fruit, but it clearly prefers to hunt for its own prey. The cold doesn't really stop this species and in winter is is one of the very few enemies of winter moths, such as the Mottled Umber Moth. The Forest Bug is common in forests, parks and larger gardens and also frequently spotted in shady avenues.

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Forest Bug Pentatoma rufipes

Forest Bug Pentatoma rufipes

Forest Bug Pentatoma rufipes

Family: Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae)

The Forest Bug never showed up in our garden untill the fall of 2004. Suddenly two of them, only days apart. This fairly big bug is not difficult to identify. Just look at the impressive shoulders, the deep brown colour and the attractive an distinctive yellowish spot at the end of the scutellum. All legs are strikingly reddish and the last segments of its antennae are darker than the first three. The fact that we never saw it before, does not mean that this is a rare animal. The Forest Bug rather lives high up in trees and bushes and is rarely seen. Yet this is a common species all over the British Isles. It sometimes sucks on leaves and fruit, but it clearly prefers to hunt for its own prey. The cold doesn't really stop this species and in winter is is one of the very few enemies of winter moths, such as the Mottled Umber Moth. The Forest Bug is common in forests, parks and larger gardens and also frequently spotted in shady avenues.

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Gorse Shieldbug Piezodorus lituratus

Gorse Shieldbug Piezodorus lituratus

Gorse Shieldbug Piezodorus lituratus

Family: Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae)

The Gorse Shield Bug below is a rather close relative of the Green Stink Bug. It even has the same size, the length is some 12 to 14 mm. Fresh adults, like the one in the top pictures, are purple and green. After hibernation though, the Gorse Shieldbugs is green and yellowish green and quite unobtrusive, like the one in the bottom pictures. The antennae are always red though, quite a distinctive feature. Another striking thing about the Gorse Shieldbug is the edge of the body. It has one colour only, like that of the Birch Shield Bug. In most other bugs the edge has a blocked pattern in two colours. The adults appear in August and October, the larvae can be seen from June to August. The larvae differ a lot from their parents, as can be seen in the middle pictures. Despite its name the Gorse Shieldbug also lives on Broom and other papilionaceous plants. This species may appear in great numbers and is a common, but sometimes rather local. So not a visitor to everyone's garden.

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Gorse Shieldbug Piezodorus lituratus

Gorse Shieldbug Piezodorus lituratus

Gorse Shieldbug Piezodorus lituratus

Family: Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae)

The Gorse Shield Bug below is a rather close relative of the Green Stink Bug. It even has the same size, the length is some 12 to 14 mm. Fresh adults, like the one in the top pictures, are purple and green. After hibernation though, the Gorse Shieldbugs is green and yellowish green and quite unobtrusive, like the one in the bottom pictures. The antennae are always red though, quite a distinctive feature. Another striking thing about the Gorse Shieldbug is the edge of the body. It has one colour only, like that of the Birch Shield Bug. In most other bugs the edge has a blocked pattern in two colours. The adults appear in August and October, the larvae can be seen from June to August. The larvae differ a lot from their parents, as can be seen in the middle pictures. Despite its name the Gorse Shieldbug also lives on Broom and other papilionaceous plants. This species may appear in great numbers and is a common, but sometimes rather local. So not a visitor to everyone's garden.

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Gorse Shieldbug Piezodorus lituratus

Gorse Shieldbug Piezodorus lituratus

Gorse Shieldbug Piezodorus lituratus

Family: Stink Bugs (Pentatomidae)

The Gorse Shield Bug below is a rather close relative of the Green Stink Bug. It even has the same size, the length is some 12 to 14 mm. Fresh adults, like the one in the top pictures, are purple and green. After hibernation though, the Gorse Shieldbugs is green and yellowish green and quite unobtrusive, like the one in the bottom pictures. The antennae are always red though, quite a distinctive feature. Another striking thing about the Gorse Shieldbug is the edge of the body. It has one colour only, like that of the Birch Shield Bug. In most other bugs the edge has a blocked pattern in two colours. The adults appear in August and October, the larvae can be seen from June to August. The larvae differ a lot from their parents, as can be seen in the middle pictures. Despite its name the Gorse Shieldbug also lives on Broom and other papilionaceous plants. This species may appear in great numbers and is a common, but sometimes rather local. So not a visitor to everyone's garden.

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Dock Leaf Bug Coreus marginatus

Dock Leaf Bug Coreus marginatus

Dock Leaf Bug Coreus marginatus

Family: Squash Bugs, also known as Leaffooted Bugs (Coreidae)

Many shield bugs are brown. And in brown bugs too one finds a lot of look-a-likes, even between species from different families. The Dock Leaf Bug, which is also called the Brown Squash Bug, looks very much like Arma custos, a species we'll be dealing with later. Mind you though that Arma custos is not a British species. Compared to Arma custos the Dock Leaf Bug has no stripes on the edges and its shoulders are more rounded. But the biggest difference between the species is in the tip of the antennae. The Dock Leaf Bug has dark tipped antennae, those of Arma custos are light tipped. The Dock Leaf Bug is a strict vegetarian feeding on plants and fruit.

The Dock Leaf Bug has two small pointers in the front of the head, between the antennae. Another distinguishing mark. Normally it is just a little bigger than the Green Shield Bug, reaching a length of 12 to 15 mm. You'll find it on many flowers in the garden, often in small groups, comprised of both adults and larvae. Because it hibernates in all life stages, it can be seen almost all year around. Hibernating specimens often are a bit darker in colour. This species loves flying. When threatened it spreads its stinking poison around and it produces a lot of the stuff. Should your skin make contact with it, it turns brown. And it will stay that way for a while, for it is very hard to wash off this poison. The larvae have the same colour the adults have, but they lack the stripings on the edge shields. In the bottom picture a larva is depicted. The Dock Leaf Bug is a very common species all over the British Isles and in most of Europe and Northern America as well.

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Dock Leaf Bug Coreus marginatus

Dock Leaf Bug Coreus marginatus

Dock Leaf Bug Coreus marginatus

Family: Squash Bugs, also known as Leaffooted Bugs (Coreidae)

Many shield bugs are brown. And in brown bugs too one finds a lot of look-a-likes, even between species from different families. The Dock Leaf Bug, which is also called the Brown Squash Bug, looks very much like Arma custos, a species we'll be dealing with later. Mind you though that Arma custos is not a British species. Compared to Arma custos the Dock Leaf Bug has no stripes on the edges and its shoulders are more rounded. But the biggest difference between the species is in the tip of the antennae. The Dock Leaf Bug has dark tipped antennae, those of Arma custos are light tipped. The Dock Leaf Bug is a strict vegetarian feeding on plants and fruit.

The Dock Leaf Bug has two small pointers in the front of the head, between the antennae. Another distinguishing mark. Normally it is just a little bigger than the Green Shield Bug, reaching a length of 12 to 15 mm. You'll find it on many flowers in the garden, often in small groups, comprised of both adults and larvae. Because it hibernates in all life stages, it can be seen almost all year around. Hibernating specimens often are a bit darker in colour. This species loves flying. When threatened it spreads its stinking poison around and it produces a lot of the stuff. Should your skin make contact with it, it turns brown. And it will stay that way for a while, for it is very hard to wash off this poison. The larvae have the same colour the adults have, but they lack the stripings on the edge shields. In the bottom picture a larva is depicted. The Dock Leaf Bug is a very common species all over the British Isles and in most of Europe and Northern America as well.

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Parent Bug Elasmucha grisea

Parent Bug Elasmucha grisea

Parent Bug Elasmucha grisea

Family: True Shieldbugs (Acanthosomatidae)

Measuring some 6 to 8 mm only, the Parent Bug (also called Motherly Shield Bug) is much smaller than the species we have been dealing with before. It is not the easiest shield bug to identify, for it appears in two colour variations. The typical specimen is grey, like the one in the top pictures. However there also is a very common redbrown variation as can be seen in the bottom picture. And if that wasn't enough in some specimens the redbrown colours are very dull and the insect appears to be brownish green. The mothers take good care of their babies, something unheard of in the world of the bug. After laying her eggs she guards them, protecting them with her body and spraying her stinking poison to whoever or whatever threatens her young. After hatching she will protect her offspring in the same way. Mother and young stay together for quite some time and occassionally one can see a mother and her young marching from one leaf to another collectively. This species depends on birch and is common in areas where these tree grow; absent elsewhere.

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Parent Bug Elasmucha grisea

Parent Bug Elasmucha grisea

Parent Bug Elasmucha grisea

Family: True Shieldbugs (Acanthosomatidae)

Measuring some 6 to 8 mm only, the Parent Bug (also called Motherly Shield Bug) is much smaller than the species we have been dealing with before. It is not the easiest shield bug to identify, for it appears in two colour variations. The typical specimen is grey, like the one in the top pictures. However there also is a very common redbrown variation as can be seen in the bottom picture. And if that wasn't enough in some specimens the redbrown colours are very dull and the insect appears to be brownish green. The mothers take good care of their babies, something unheard of in the world of the bug. After laying her eggs she guards them, protecting them with her body and spraying her stinking poison to whoever or whatever threatens her young. After hatching she will protect her offspring in the same way. Mother and young stay together for quite some time and occassionally one can see a mother and her young marching from one leaf to another collectively. This species depends on birch and is common in areas where these tree grow; absent elsewhere.

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Birch Shield Bug Elasmostethus interstinctus

Birch Shield Bug Elasmostethus interstinctus

Birch Shield Bug Elasmostethus interstinctus

Family: True Shieldbugs (Acanthosomatidae)

The Birch Shield Bug is quite similar to some other species, including the Juniper Shield Bug. It is imporatant to look at the edge: this is in one colour only. The amount of red varies from individual to individual. Usually the animals are darker (brownish red) in winter. Reaching a length of some 9 to 11 mm, the size is that of many other shield bugs. The adults of this species appear in September and overwinter. The larvae are usually seen in July and August. In the bottom picture a 5th (and last) instar larva. The pictures in the middle show a much earlier instar. The larvae have been identified by Berend Aukema as being Elasmostethus larvae, but he can not be absolutely sure they are the Birch Shield Bug's, even though this is more than likely. Adults love low bushes, preferably in the sun shine. Larvae found on Birch mainly. General species in Britain. To be found all over the Northern Hemispere: Europe, Northern Asia, Japan and Northern America. Canadians and Americans usually refer to this species simply as the Birch Bug.

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Birch Shield Bug larva Elasmostethus interstinctus larva

Birch Shield Bug larva Elasmostethus interstinctus larva

Birch Shield Bug larva Elasmostethus interstinctus larva

Family: True Shieldbugs (Acanthosomatidae)


The Birch Shield Bug is quite similar to some other species, including the Juniper Shield Bug. It is imporatant to look at the edge: this is in one colour only. The amount of red varies from individual to individual. Usually the animals are darker (brownish red) in winter. Reaching a length of some 9 to 11 mm, the size is that of many other shield bugs. The adults of this species appear in September and overwinter. The larvae are usually seen in July and August. In the bottom picture a 5th (and last) instar larva. The pictures in the middle show a much earlier instar. The larvae have been identified by Berend Aukema as being Elasmostethus larvae, but he can not be absolutely sure they are the Birch Shield Bug's, even though this is more than likely. Adults love low bushes, preferably in the sun shine. Larvae found on Birch mainly. General species in Britain. To be found all over the Northern Hemispere: Europe, Northern Asia, Japan and Northern America. Canadians and Americans usually refer to this species simply as the Birch Bug.

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Hawthorn Shield Bug Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale

Hawthorn Shield Bug Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale

Hawthorn Shield Bug Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale

Family: True Shieldbugs (Acanthosomatidae)

The Hawthorn Shield Bug is among our biggest shield bugs and may reach a length of almost 2 cm. Usually it measures between 15 abd 18 mm though. Extremely similar to the Juniper Shield Bug. The main difference is the shape of the head, which is shorter and dulller compared to the Juniper Shield Bug's. The latter also is smaller und usually its markings are more colourful.The adults appear from August onwards and can be found in all kinds of bushes. Sucks on berries regularly, leaving behind a stinking trail.

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