Green Shieldbug

Palomena prasina

Description

Body length 12 - 13.5mm. A large green shieldbug with a dark wing membrane (still pale in the teneral). There is another green shieldbug that is slowly colonising Britain, but this has a pale wing membrane and some white spots on the scutellum. Towards the later part of the year they become darker and browner. Early instar nymphs can be red, green or cream with a black scutellum. Later instar nymphs may be all green or have black markings. 

Habitat

Hedgerows and woodlands. They feed on a variety of woody plants.

Status and distribution

Common and widespread in England and Wales, becoming scarcer further north, but not recorded in Scotland. Common in Nottinghamshire and at Netherfield Lagoons.

Best time to see

March to November.

  • Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina - September 19th 2016

  • Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina - September 28th 2012

  • Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina - October 15th 2015

  • Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina - March 24th 2019

  • Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina - November 19th 2017

  • Green Shieldbugs - Palomena prasina - May 12th 2019

  • Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina - first instar nymphs and egg cases - July 30th 2017

  • Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina - early instar nymph - July 11th 2014

  • Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina - early instar nymph - August 17th 2018

  • Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina - mid instar nymph - September 18th 2015

  • Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina - early instar nymph - August 23rd 2012

  • Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina - late instar nymph - September 11th 2012

  • Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina - late instar nymphs - September 7th 2014

  • Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina - late instar nymph - August 14th 2013

  • Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina - late instar nymph - October 10th 2013

  • Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina - teneral plus final instar nymph - August 19th 2018

  • Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina - teneral plus nymphal skin - August 8th 2018

  • Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina - teneral - September 20th 2013