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Dolycoris baccarum Hairy Shieldbug
Family: Pentatomidae

 A large and distinctive purple-brown and greenish shieldbug which is covered with long hairs. The antennae and connexivum are banded black and white. During the winter, the ground colour becomes uniformly dull brown.

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

 Common and widepsread in many habitats throughout Britain, particularly hedgerows and woodland edges, becoming scarcer in the north.

 Adult: All year
Length 11-12 mm

see illustrated life stages chart		 Dolycoris baccarum
Adult: Norfolk (May 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
Dolycoris baccarum Dolycoris baccarum
Adult: Cambs (May 2007) ©Will George

 Adult: Essex (September 2008) ©Laurence Livermore
Dolycoris baccarum nymph Dolycoris baccarum nymph
Early instar nymph: Yorks (August 2009) ©Joe Botting

 Mid instar nymph: north Wales (July 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
Dolycoris baccarum nymph Dolycoris baccarum nymph
Late instar nymph: south Wales (July 2006) ©Ian Tew Late instar nymph: Surrey (September 2007) ©Ashley Wood