Southern Green Shieldbug Nezara viridula
The Southern Green Shieldbug is a recent immigrant to the southern UK from continental Europe. The adult looks similar to adult native Green Shieldbugs,
but with clear wing membranes and three small, light spots at the top of the "scutellum."
The underside is green in the summer.
The nymphs, however, are entirely different in appearance to those of the UK native Green Shieldbug nymphs.
The nymphs are also quite variable. Shown above is the final "instar" before adulthood.
First or second "instar" (stage) nymphs of the Southern Green Shieldbug - a dark damson and black background with white spots,
plus orange spots on the side of the thorax.
First or second instar, dark plum background
Shedding the exoskeleton to the next instar (bottom)
Early instar nymphs
Second or third instar, half plum background with white spots and half yellow background with black spots; pink edging.
First/second and second/third stages.
Final nymph instar before adulthood.
Links:
Common Green Shieldbug
Green Shieldbug Nymphs