Blue Shieldbug
Zicrona caerulea
This record describes Zicrona caerulea (species). Recorded family: Pentatomidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Length 5-7 mm. A medium-sized dark shieldbug with a deep blue-green metallic sheen and a dark wing membrane. The nymphs can resemble early instars of Troilus luridus but the legs of Zicrona caerulea are all dark rather than mottled and the head and pronotum are distinctly bluish. It occurs on low vegetation in many habitats, including heathland, grassland and woodland rides. Adult: All year - mainly July to September This bug overwinters as an adult and eggs are laid in the spring. New adults are mainly found from July onwards and there is usually one generation per year. A predatory species, favouring the larvae of certain leaf beetles. It is widespread throughout Britain, particularly in the north, although absent from Ireland.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Heteroptera
- Superfamily
- Pentatomoidea
- Family
- Pentatomidae (Stink Bugs)
- Subfamily
- Asopinae
- Genus
- Zicrona
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It occurs on low vegetation in many habitats, including heathland, grassland and woodland rides.
Seasonal Activity
Adult: All year - mainly July to September
Diet and Behavior
Life History
This bug overwinters as an adult and eggs are laid in the spring. New adults are mainly found from July onwards and there is usually one generation per year. A predatory species, favouring the larvae of certain leaf beetles.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is widespread throughout Britain, particularly in the north, although absent from Ireland.
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Zicrona caerulea. 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 Blue Shieldbug (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Shieldbug
What is Blue Shieldbug?
Blue Shieldbug (Zicrona caerulea) is a species in the family Pentatomidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Blue Shieldbug?
5-7 mm. A medium-sized dark shieldbug with a deep blue-green metallic sheen and a dark wing membrane. The nymphs can resemble early instars of
Where is Blue Shieldbug found?
Habitat: It occurs on low vegetation in many habitats, including heathland, grassland and woodland rides.
When is Blue Shieldbug active?
Blue Shieldbug: seasonal activity - Adult: All year - mainly July to September.
What is the life cycle of a Blue Shieldbug?
This bug overwinters as an adult and eggs are laid in the spring. New adults are mainly found from July onwards and there is usually one generation per year. A predatory species, favouring the larvae of certain leaf beetles.