Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug
Aelia acuminata
This record describes Aelia acuminata (species). Recorded family: Pentatomidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Length 8 to 9 mm. A large and distinctive striped shieldbug with an obviously pointed head and ridged pronotum. Adult: All year, with new adults found from August onwards. There is one generation per year, adults mating and laying eggs in spring and early summer. The larvae feed on the ripening seeds of a range of grasses.
Wikipedia reference for Aelia acuminata: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aelia_acuminata.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera
- Family
- Pentatomidae
- Genus
- Aelia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Tall and rank dry grassland habitats
Seasonal Activity
Adult: All year, with new adults found from August onwards.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
There is one generation per year, adults mating and laying eggs in spring and early summer. The larvae feed on the ripening seeds of a range of grasses.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread across southern Britain.
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Aelia acuminata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.
Ecological role of the group
Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug
What is Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug?
Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug (Aelia acuminata) is a species in the family Pentatomidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug?
8 to 9 mm. A large and distinctive striped shieldbug with an obviously pointed head and ridged pronotum.
Where is Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug found?
Habitat: Tall and rank dry grassland habitats
When is Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug active?
Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug: seasonal activity - Adult: All year, with new adults found from August onwards..
What is the life cycle of a Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug?
There is one generation per year, adults mating and laying eggs in spring and early summer. The larvae feed on the ripening seeds of a range of grasses.