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Green Shield Bugs

Identify It >   Invertebrate Section >   Green Shield Bugs >


Scientific name:  Palomena prasina

Size:  Up to 12mm long

Distribution:  Found throughout the UK

Months seen:  April to October

Life span:  Up to 2 years

Habitat:  Hedgerows, woodland edges, parks and gardens

Food:  Plant sap

Special features:  Green Shield Bugs have a very flattened body.  You need to have good eyesight to see them, because they are very well camouflaged amongst the green foliage.  They're bright green in summer, and in the autumn they turn brown before hibernating in leaf litter.

Identification can be confusing because Green Shieldbugs change appearance as they grow.  The photos above show most of the stages in the life cycle.

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