Hairy Shieldbug - Dolycoris baccarum

Alternative names
Sloe Bug
Description

Length 11-12 mm. A large and distinctive purple-brown and greenish shieldbug which is covered with long hairs (c.f. Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys, which is smooth). The antennae have three white bands (c.f. two in Halyomorpha halys) and the scutellum lacks white dots. During the winter, the ground colour becomes uniformly dull brown.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Found in many habitats particularly hedgerows and woodland edges.

When to see it

Adult: All year.

Life History

This bug overwinters as an adult, emerging in the spring. Larvae, which are also hairy, may be found on numerous plants besides Blackthorn, particularly those in the Roasaceae family. The new generation is complete from August onwards.

UK Status

Common and widespread throughout Britain, becoming scarcer in the north.

VC55 Status

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
Hairy Shieldbug, Sloe Shieldbug
Species group:
Bugs
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hemiptera
Family:
Pentatomidae
Records on NatureSpot:
596
First record:
21/05/2007 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
17/03/2024 (Gaten, Ted)

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% of records within its species group

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