Shieldbug instars - and how to know

Dillybythesea · #1 (**permalink**) 28-06-2011, 04:31 PM

I'm trying to work out how folk know for sure which stage the bug is at, if there is quite a lot of variability in the colouring of different instars. I wonder if there are certain key features which are the give-away. Looking in the Gallery this seems closest to the 3rd instar of a Green Shieldbug, but it isn't exactly like the others shown, but perhaps close enough?

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 28-06-2011, 06:00 PM

Afternoon Rhona,

I'd say first-instar. Looking just to the hind margin of the pronotum (thorax), you'll see no sign of wing-buds (which look like two semi-circles with the curve pointing backwards - one on each side of the insect).

Agree with GS.

Take care,

Jason

Dillybythesea · #3 (**permalink**) 28-06-2011, 06:32 PM

Evening Jason!

Many thanks indeed for the ID, and the tip about the wing-buds! Aren't you great.

(Got very confused, initially, when you said 'Agree with GS'. Wondered who he was.)

(A bit like 'Yes we have.')