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Eysarcoris venustissimus Woundwort Shieldbug
Family: Pentatomidae

Often referred to as the Woundwort shieldbug, and previously known as Eysarcoris fabricii, this is a small greenish-grey species. The head and the front of both the pronotum and scutellum are copper coloured, while the connexivum is marked with black and white.

 There is one generation per year; the nymphs feed on hedge woundwort Stachys sylvatica and sometimes other plants in the Labiateae such as white dead-nettle. New adults may be found from August onwards.

Although rare in the 19th century, this shieldbug is now widespread in southern and central Britain as far north as Yorkshire, in hedgerows and woodland edges.

Adult: All year
Length 5-7 mm

see illustrated life stages chart
 Eysarcoris fabricii

Adults: Herts (May 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
Eysarcoris fabricii Eysarcoris fabricii
Adult: Lincs (July 2007) ©Les Binns

 Adults: Berks (May 2008) ©Jonathan Michaelson
Eysarcoris fabricii eggs Eysarcoris fabricii nymph
Eggs: Surrey (June 2009) ©Ashley Wood

 Early instar nymph: Surrey (July 2008) ©Ashley Wood
Eysarcoris fabricii nymph Eysarcoris fabricii nymph
Early instar nymph: Berks (September 2008) ©Jonathan Michaelson

 Mid instar nymph: Surrey (July 2008) ©Ashley Wood
Eysarcoris fabricii nymph Eysarcoris fabricii nymph
Final instar nymphs: Berks (September 2008) ©Jonathan Michaelson

 Final instar nymph: Essex (August 2007) ©Tristan Bantock