Southern green stinkbug - Nezara viridula

[Paul mabbott]

Another new one for UK. The southern green stinkbug has been here for a few years and has established in several places, especially London. This week of been sent three lots of pictures of the nymphs. This one by Les Wilson in Hackney shows the 4th and 5th instars, I think:
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ga...age-21017.html
There's a better picture of this at Nezara Viridula nymph on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
The nymphal stages are very different from any native British species but the adult looks very much like the common green shieldbug Palomena prasina although a little paler:
New crop pest discovered in the UK - Natural History Museum
It can be a pest - the picture shows them eating runner beans .... beware!

[aeshna5]

There are quite a few in west London this summer. A friend in Chiswick had 100's nymphs in his garden + were particularly fond of Hibiscus flower buds. Another friend had a few on Nastursiums in Richmond + have anecdotal evidence of others in gardens in Barnes area.

[Gary Nadolski]

Paris France area has Nezara viridula now too which I found 5 on an elderberry tree in front of my apartment in Sucy-E,-Brie. As I never encountered this yet picking berries after 7 years, I thought it was climate change result. It comes from Ethiopia I understood, and I am surprised it is in a neighboring country so far north!!! This occurred 20 July 2011.

[tristanba]

But has anyone seen any in UK during 2011? I have no reports whatsoever, and am wondering whether the very cold snap we experienced last winter has really pruned the population back.

Any sightings to report?

Tristan

[loripo]

I have been looking out in Battersea Park as I had seen them in there, but not a sign so far. It has been as late as October when I've seen them previously though.