Hawthorn shield bug

Shield Bug Shield Bug ( Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale )

The Shield Bug Shield Bug ( Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale ) is a species of the family of sting bugs ( Acanthosomatidae ) and thus belongs to the Schnabelkerfen. It is often referred to simply either sting or bug tops bug.

Features

Top - sting bugs are about 15 to 17 mm in size. They are distinguished by the black and yellow striped head ( caput) and the dorsal forming a triangle, blood-red to red-brown stripes on the Hemielytren and the edge of pronotum ( Scutum ). This stain on the shield-shaped body offers them a very good camouflage in the hawthorn bush or in the foliage. When flying up the colorful coloration of the abdomen ( tummy) falls on, it is in the spring apple to emerald green, in autumn yellow-green to brown-red. The innermost antennal segment extends beyond the black dot head in its length. Also, pronotum and scutellum ( scutellum ) are black dots, these are only appearing on the board by about 110 points. The feet ( tarsus ) are bipartite. The name sting bug they wear because they are ventrally keeled striking with pointed, stachelartigem extension.

Occurrence

One finds the top - sting bugs mostly singly occurring in deciduous forests, forest edges or in open fields all over Europe ( north becoming rare ), mostly where rowan (Sorbus aucuparia ), hawthorn (Crataegus ) and briers. It is one of the most common bugs Europe. They fly from April / May to October.

Behavior

Similarly, the green stink bug also give top - sting bugs from a true non-toxic, but highly unpleasant smelling secretion for protection from predators such as birds and other disorders. The outputs of the defensive glands are located next to the leg approach, while they are usually dorsal to identify present and there also good in the larvae on the abdomen.

Nutrition

This kind of sucks exclusively vegetable juices, especially on berry bushes, where the fruits are even preferred. The larvae, however, stand at only the leaves.

Reproduction

In the Shield Bug Shield Bug, there is only one generation a year. In autumn, the adult bugs are often observed while sunbathing on walls before they hibernate on the ground under the old foliage. In the spring they lay the fertilized eggs on hawthorn. After hatching from June to August, the predominantly green larvae molt in a few weeks five times before they are fully grown.