Hawthorn Shieldbug Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale
The Hawthorn Shieldbug, also spelled Shield Bug, is a European species and the largest shieldbug in the UK.
As its name indicates, it eats mostly from the fruits and leaves of Hawthorn but can be found on other trees.
As its name indicates, it eats mostly from the fruits and leaves of Hawthorn but can be found on other trees.
The adult (male and female) is green with wide chestnut brown borders to its "scutellum" (triangular shield) and brown wing membranes.
The underside is light green.
The green turns brown in winter; like most shieldbugs they over-winter as adults.
The green turns brown in winter; like most shieldbugs they over-winter as adults.
The Hawthorn Shieldbug is much larger and longer than the similar-coloured Birch Shieldbug (two together above right) and has no brown on its scutellum, unlike the Birch.
When wings are raised, the colourful red tip of the yellow and black abdomen can be seen. This unfortunate individual has torn its wings and wingcases,
revealing the red tip.
The third instar of the Hawthorn nymph.
Links:
Birch Shieldbug