Red-legged or Spiked Shieldbug?

[Geoff F]

I would appreciate a more experienced opinion on some shieldbugs which I have seen recently. S. Devon.

Initially, I placed them all as Red-legged Shieldbug (Pentatoma rufipes) which was formally known as Forest Bug. But I am a little unsure of a couple of them.



These two shieldbugs, found on different days, have markings which are more like the Spiked Shieldbug (Picromerus bidens). However the first one has rather rounded shoulder corners. The second however has quite sharp spike ends.

So any suggestions?

[Dogghound]

They are both Picromerus bidens Geoff.

Pentatoma rufipes has much more rounded projections to the pronotum and a larger pale patch at the base of the scutellum.

[Jason Claxton]

Hi Geoff

Picromerus bidensYes agree with Dogghound.

[Geoff F]

Thanks for the speedy replies. I had better double check my other records then.

I couldn't find any records for Picromerus bidens in S. Devon from the GBIF site. But I suppose that isn't surprising as a lot of the relatively common bugs that I am finding haven't been recorded here either.

[Dogghound]

I would have thought that they would be common in Deven, they are well spread around most of the rest of the country.