Double Shieldbug puzzle!!

[Fourwings]

There seems to be lots of posts about Shieldbug ID's at the moment so I thought I'd add another to the list.
I found these two lttle fellas having a good look at each other on our runner bean plants the other day. They are quite clearly two different species but which two?
The adults are fairly easy but these nymphs are far more tricky, any ideas??

[honeybee]

I don't get those, I get masses of these... http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile...shield_bug.asp

[Fourwings]

Thanks Honeybee, I did think the larger one of the two may be a Green Shieldbug as we have quite a few about in the garden at the moment.

[honeybee]

Sorry I can't be more helpful, my bug book isn't much use either, are they just young uns?

[carlj]

My thought was the smaller one was a juvenile - got these on our passion flower too! First insect our Amber didn't jump at when it landed on her!

[Andy Warne]

I think they are both Green Shield Bug nymphs of different ages aren't they?

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Andy Warne

I think they are both Green Shield Bug nymphs of different ages aren't they?

That was my thought too. What was it that made you think they were different species Mr Fourwings? I can see that the legs and antennae are different colours - could this be related to age? or individual variation or is that the kind of thing to look out for to separate species?

[aeshna5]

Both are nymphs of Common Green Shieldbug, Palomena prasina, but probably different instars.

[Fourwings]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Both are nymphs of Common Green Shieldbug, Palomena prasina, but probably different instars.

Thanks Aeshna5 - I naturally assumed they were different species because of the vast difference in appearance.
Guess you never stop learning when it comes to insects

[Wild-Woman]

Perhaps the little one didn't eat his greens!