Common Green Shieldbug
Palomena prasina
This record describes Palomena prasina (species). Recorded family: Pentatomidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Length 12-13.5 mm. A large shieldbug with a dark wing membrane and reddish antennae (4th and 5th segments). Adults are bright green in the spring and summer but finely punctured with dark marks. They become a darker bronze-brown prior to winter hibernation. May be found in many habitats, including parks and gardens. There is one generation per year; the nymphs feed on many deciduous trees and shrubs, particularly Hazel, and can be found from June to October. Later nymphs are often darker than those found earlier in the season. Newly-emerged adults may show a pale wing membrane. Common and widespread throughout Britain becoming scarcer further north.
Wikipedia reference for Palomena prasina: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_shield_bug.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera
- Family
- Pentatomidae
- Genus
- Palomena
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
May be found in many habitats, including parks and gardens.
Seasonal Activity
Adult: All year.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
There is one generation per year; the nymphs feed on many deciduous trees and shrubs, particularly Hazel, and can be found from June to October. Later nymphs are often darker than those found earlier in the season. Newly-emerged adults may show a pale wing membrane.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Common and widespread throughout Britain becoming scarcer further north.
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Palomena prasina. 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 Common Green Shieldbug (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Green Shieldbug
What is Common Green Shieldbug?
Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) is a species in the family Pentatomidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Common Green Shieldbug?
12-13.5 mm. A large shieldbug with a dark wing membrane and reddish antennae (4th and 5th segments). Adults are bright green in the spring and summer but finely punctured with dark marks. They become a darker bronze-brown prior to winter hibernation.
Where is Common Green Shieldbug found?
Habitat: May be found in many habitats, including parks and gardens.
When is Common Green Shieldbug active?
Common Green Shieldbug: seasonal activity - Adult: All year..
What is the life cycle of a Common Green Shieldbug?
There is one generation per year; the nymphs feed on many deciduous trees and shrubs, particularly Hazel, and can be found from June to October. Later nymphs are often darker than those found earlier in the season. Newly-emerged adults may show a pale wing membrane.