Green Shield Bugs.

[glsammy]

My daughter has a Buddleia bush in her front garden. It's become home to dozens, if not hundreds of Greenshield bugs, both in the nymph and adult states. There's also one odd red one, is this a competely different type, or just a colour variation?















I've been watching them for over a week, I'm hoping to witness the change of state from nymph to adult.

[Wild-Woman]

Those first two shots are nymphs of the Hawthorn Shieldbug I think.

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by glsammy

There's also one odd red one, is this a competely different type, or just a colour variation?

I have no idea but it's very beautiful! (And beautifully photographed as always )

Dave P.

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Those first two shots are nymphs of the Hawthorn Shieldbug I think.

That would explain it Jules.
I find them confusing, the only Hawthorn nymph I found on the web was green. MInd you, there's no saying that was correct!

[Paul mabbott]

One thing to bear in mind is that after ecdysis - when nymphs shed their skin - most shieldbugs are reddish - before the skin hardens and gains its 'proper' colour .....

[Dogghound]

The reason that you are finding red nymphs and you are likely to find red/brownn adults too, is due to the time of year, alot of shieldbug species become a darker colour in autumn to blend in with the leaves. less easy to be seen by predators etc. Green Shieldbugs generally tend to become commoner (or more observed) in spring and autumn when they tend to group up. When they re-emerge in spring their colour changes back to bright green.

The top nymph is of the Acanthosomatidae family, Which includes hawthorn and birch shield bugs, they are similar looking, especially as nymphs.

[asheleaf]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Those first two shots are nymphs of the Hawthorn Shieldbug I think.

me too

Ashe

[aeshna5]

Some excellent photos!