Red-legged Shieldbug
Pentatoma rufipes
This record describes Pentatoma rufipes (species). Recorded family: Pentatomidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Length 11-14 mm. A large brown shieldbug which has orange legs and slightly hooked projections at the front of the pronotum. The pale spot at the tip of the scutellum varies from orange to cream. Well wooded areas, orchards and gardens. Adults may be found from July onwards, surviving until the late autumn, occasionally found in early spring. Nymphs overwinter - this is the only British shieldbug which overwinters as a nymph. This species overwinters as young larvae, which feed mainly on Oak, Alder, Hazel and other deciduous trees. Adults are partly predatory, feeding on caterpillars and other insects as well as fruits. Eggs are laid in August. Adults can sometimes be found in the early spring, suggesting that a secondary breeding cycle may be possible.
Wikipedia reference for Pentatoma rufipes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_bug.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera
- Family
- Pentatomidae
- Genus
- Pentatoma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Well wooded areas, orchards and gardens.
Seasonal Activity
Adults may be found from July onwards, surviving until the late autumn, occasionally found in early spring. Nymphs overwinter - this is the only British shieldbug which overwinters as a nymph.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
This species overwinters as young larvae, which feed mainly on Oak, Alder, Hazel and other deciduous trees. Adults are partly predatory, feeding on caterpillars and other insects as well as fruits. Eggs are laid in August. Adults can sometimes be found in the early spring, suggesting that a secondary breeding cycle may be possible.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and common across Britain.
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Pentatoma rufipes. 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 Red-legged Shieldbug (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Red-legged Shieldbug
What is Red-legged Shieldbug?
Red-legged Shieldbug (Pentatoma rufipes) is a species in the family Pentatomidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Red-legged Shieldbug?
11-14 mm. A large brown shieldbug which has orange legs and slightly hooked projections at the front of the pronotum. The pale spot at the tip of the scutellum varies from orange to cream.
Where is Red-legged Shieldbug found?
Habitat: Well wooded areas, orchards and gardens.
When is Red-legged Shieldbug active?
Red-legged Shieldbug: seasonal activity - Adults may be found from July onwards, surviving until the late autumn, occasionally found in early spring. Nymphs overwinter - this is the only British shieldbug which overwinters as a nymph..
What is the life cycle of a Red-legged Shieldbug?
This species overwinters as young larvae, which feed mainly on Oak, Alder, Hazel and other deciduous trees. Adults are partly predatory, feeding on caterpillars and other insects as well as fruits. Eggs are laid in August. Adults can sometimes be found in the early spring, suggesting that a secondary breeding cycle may be possible.