Gorse Shieldbug - Piezodorus lituratus

Description

Length 10-13 mm. A large shieldbug with two adult colour forms which are related to sexual maturity. Those emerging and mating in the spring are predominantly green, whereas the new generation appearing in the late summer have purple-red markings on the pronotum and corium. As in many other shieldbugs, this species frequently becomes darker prior to hibernation.

Similar Species

Whilst it could be confused with the Green Shieldbug, the habitat (Gorse) is usually diagnostic, plus the red antennae.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Habitats where Gorse is present.

When to see it

Adult: All year.

Life History

Although often associated with Gorse, larvae also feed on Broom, Weld and other plants in the Genisteae family, and have also been found on Laburnum, Box and Clovers.

UK Status

Common and widespread throughout Britain.

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Gorse Shieldbug
Species group:
Bugs
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hemiptera
Family:
Pentatomidae
Records on NatureSpot:
79
First record:
06/04/2007 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
04/10/2024 (Graves, Hazel)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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