Elasmostethus interstinctus | |
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Dorsal view | |
Side view | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hemiptera |
Suborder: | Heteroptera |
Family: | Acanthosomatidae |
Genus: | Elasmostethus |
Species: | E. interstinctus |
Binomial name | |
Elasmostethus interstinctus | |
Synonyms | |
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Elasmostethus interstinctus, the birch shield bug, [2] is species of shield bug in the Acanthosomatidae family. Shield bugs are often called "stink bugs" because they excrete a foul smelling liquid that is used to deter predators.
This rather common species has an holarctic range. It is widely distributed across Europe, [3] Northern Asia (excluding China) and in North America. [4]
These shield bugs mainly inhabit sunny areas with mixed birch woodlands, deciduous trees and shrubs. [2] [5]
Elasmostethus interstinctus can reach a length of 8–11.5 millimetres (0.31–0.45 in). [2] These shield bugs have a relatively flat body with the entire upper surface covered with mostly black punctures. The dorsal side is a bright yellow-green, with various red markings. In particular, pronotum is yellow-green, scutellum is green with a red center, clavus and corium are intensely red and the apex of the elytra are also bright red. The ventral side and the abdominal margins are yellow. Legs are yellow-green. [6]
This species of shield bug can be confused with the Hawthorn Shield Bug ( Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale ), which is larger and more elongate and has a smaller lateral extensions of the pronotum. [2]
The species overwinters in an adult stage in leaf litter, [6] after which they emerge in the spring and start to mate. From early June to the middle August eggs are laid on the upper side of leaves of and on the catkins of birch, where the nymphs feed in aggregation. [6] Their larvae feed usually on birch, but could also be found on aspen and hazel. [2] They have also been found feeding on various other host plants, mainly on juniper, Quercus , Ilex , Vaccinium , Alnus , Fagus and Populus species. [6] The new generation is complete by August. [2]
The Pentatomoidea are a superfamily of insects in the Heteroptera suborder of the Hemiptera order. As Hemiptera, they share a common arrangement of sucking mouthparts. The roughly 7000 species under Pentatomoidea are divided into 21 families. Among these are the stink bugs and shield bugs, jewel bugs, giant shield bugs, and burrower bugs.
Elasmucha grisea, common name parent bug, is a species of shield bugs or stink bugs belonging to the family Acanthosomatidae. The term parent bugs includes also the other species of the genus Elasmucha and some species of the family Acanthosomatidae.
Scutelleridae is a family of true bugs. They are commonly known as jewel bugs or metallic shield bugs due to their often brilliant coloration. They are also known as shield-backed bugs due to the enlargement of the thoracic scutellum into a continuous shield over the abdomen and wings. This latter characteristic distinguishes them from most other families within Heteroptera, and may lead to misidentification as a beetle rather than a bug. These insects feed on plant juices from a variety of different species, including some commercial crops. Closely related to stink bugs, they may also produce an offensive odour when disturbed. There are around 450 species worldwide.
Acanthosomatidae is a family of Hemiptera, commonly named "shield bugs" or "stink bugs". Kumar in his 1974 world revision recognized 47 genera; now this number is 55 genera, with about 200 species, and it is one of the least diverse families within Pentatomoidea. The Acanthosomatidae species are found throughout the world, being most abundant in high-latitude temperate regions and in subtropical regions at high altitudes.
The hawthorn shield bug is a common European shield bug. Its chief food is haws, the fruit of the hawthorn tree, but adults can overwinter on a diet of leaves, and individuals can be found on many potential food plants, including pedunculate oak, sessile oak and whitebeam. They may grow up to 17 mm (0.67 in) long, and are camouflaged in shades of green and brown. Like many so-called "stink bugs", they may release unpleasant odours when disturbed.
Picromerus bidens, the spiny shieldbug or spiked shieldbug, is a carnivorous species of shield bug in the family Pentatomidae.
Eurydema ornata is a species of shield bug in the family Pentatomidae.
Dolycoris baccarum, the sloe bug or hairy shieldbug, is a species of shield bug in the family Pentatomidae.
Apodiphus amygdali is a species of shield bug belonging to the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Pentatominae.
Carpocoris pudicus is a species of shield bug in the family Pentatomidae.
Poecilocapsus lineatus, commonly known as the Fourlined Plant Bug, is a species of true bug (Hemiptera) in the family Miridae. This species is native to the United States and Canada.
Campyloneura virgula is a species of bugs in Miridae family. It is the only species in the genus CampyloneuraFieber, 1861.
The juniper shield bug, , is a large (9–10.5 mm) green shield bug with distinctive pinkish-red markings on the corium.
Piezodorus lituratus, the gorse shield bug, is a species of Pentatomidae, a family of shield bugs.
Peribalus strictus, common name Vernal Shieldbug, is a species of shield bugs in the family Pentatomidae.
Aelia acuminata, common name bishop's mitre, is a species of shield bug belonging to the family Pentatomidae.
Hypsithocus hudsonae, sometimes called the alpine shield bug or black alpine shield bug, is a species of flightless shield bug endemic to New Zealand. Few specimens have ever been collected and these have come from a relatively narrow geographical range. The New Zealand Department of Conservation classifies this species as 'At Risk,' with qualifiers 'data poor' and 'range restricted.'
Monteithiella humeralis, commonly known as the pittosporum shield bug is a species of herbivorous shield bug native to Australia and introduced in New Zealand. As its common name suggests, it is most commonly observed feeding on Pittosporum plants.
Dictyotus caenosus, commonly known as the brown shield bug, is an Australian species of stink bug that has been introduced into New Zealand and New Caledonia.
Cuspicona simplex, commonly known as the green potato bug, is a herbivorous species of stink bug native to Australia and introduced to New Zealand. It feeds on nightshades. It is primarily known as a pest of potatoes, tomatoes, and other crops in the nightshade family.