Red-legged Shieldbug - Pentatoma rufipes

Alternative names
Forest Bug
Description

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.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Well wooded areas, orchards and gardens.

When to see it

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. 

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.

UK Status

Widespread and common across Britain.

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
Red-legged Shieldbug, Forest Bug
Species group:
Bugs
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hemiptera
Family:
Pentatomidae
Records on NatureSpot:
372
First record:
28/08/2005 (Cranfield, John)
Last record:
04/03/2024 (Cann, Alan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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