Sloe bug?

[Bruce Williams]

Stony Stratford, Bucks.

I'd originally identified this as a Sloe bug (Hairy bug) but have recently read on the web that the end of the scutellum is always bright yellowish or white and never spotted. That obviously doesn't fit with my pic, so before I upload to the Gallery I thought it wise to seek an id from the experts.



Bruce

[Bruce Williams]

...ah think I have it, just had another look on the Brit... Bugs website. Now think it's Troilus luridus. If I'm right does it have a common name?

Bruce

[Jason Claxton]

Hi Bruce

Yes, Troilus luridus it is.And rightly it isn't the Sloe bug/Hairy Shieldbug Dolycoris baccarum,your original suggestion,Bruce.

As to its current common name ,I have to admit I'm not sure,I've heard them referred to as Lurid Shieldbugs and Bronze Shieldbugs,but the Shieldbugs of Surrey by Roger D.Hawkins (2003) says that..." There is no generally accepted English name,but the species has been called White-banded Shieldbug(Nau,1996),referring to its antennae,and Stealthy Shieldbug(Preston-Mafham,1997)..."

It will be interesting to see what Tristan and Joe have to say about this.

Jason.

[Acutipuerilis]

I know Tristan's been working on an authoritative list of common names for shield bugs, so I'll let him answer this one... although neither of us are great fans of them, for reasons of too many much confusion. This has probably been called the Bronze Shieldbug more often than other names, but unfortunately Eysarcoris venustissimus has also been called that.

[Jason Claxton]

Interestingly the Troilus luridus Wiki entry,will give you a lovely picture of what looks like Dolycoris baccurum Sloe bug/Hairy Shieldbug,I'm sure that Wiki P will sort this out,don't know when,but this might add to your confusion at the moment Bruce,a temporary gliche I hope( I have been known to look at Wiki P on occassion,maybe you did)

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Jason. Yes I had noticed the brightly coloured image on Wiki and assumed either Troilus luridus was a extemely variable species or it was the wrong pic . However my original misidentification was probably more down to me jumping to conclusions based on the light markings (banding) on the antennae. Having now read more carefully I can see that they are quite different.

Tristan - I agree it's important to use the scientific name when it comes to the stage of formal identification, but for an old guy like me common names can make life a bit easier in the field - mind you I sometimes have problems remembering the common names .

Bruce

[tristanba]

I prefer the common name Bronze shieldbug although as Joe says, this name has been used to refer to E. venustissimus (Woundwort Shieldbug) in the past.

[Bruce Williams]

Oops - Sorry Joe my last post should have have read "Joe - I agree it's important..." not "Tristan - I agree it's important...".

Thanks Tristan.

Bruce