Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina
The Green Shieldbug, also spelled Shield Bug and also called the Common Green Shieldbug, is the most common shieldbug encountered in the UK,
particularly in the south.
Male and female are of similar appearance and the usual colour of the adult is entirely green with translucent brownish wing membranes (clear when newly emerged).
They live on plant sap but usually do little harm to cultivated plants. As autumn approaches, the edges of the body turn dark brown and the legs redden.
The winter colour of the over-wintering adult is dark brown (above right) and the transition is a dark greenish-brown (above).
The winter brown and size comparison with pound coin.
The underside is usually green in summer, turning reddish in autumn and brown by winter.
Links:
Green Shieldbug Nymphs
Shieldbug Eggs/Life Stages
Southern Green Shieldbug