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Pentatoma rufipes Forest Bug
Family: Pentatomidae

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.

This species overwinters as young larvae, which feed mainly on oak. Alder, hazel and other decidous trees are also used, including apple and cherry. Adults are partly predatory, feeding on caterpillars and other insects as well as fruits.

New adults may be found from July onwards, surviving until the late autumn, and eggs are laid in August. Adults can sometimes be found in the early spring, suggesting that a secondary breeding cycle may be possible. Widespread and common across Britain in wooded areas, orchards and gardens.

Compare Troilus luridus, Picromerus bidens

Adult: July-November
Length 11-14 mm

see illustrated life stages chart
Pentotoma rufipes Forest Bug
Adult: Jersey (July 2007) ©Tim Ransom

Pentatoma rufipes Forest Bug Pentatoma rufipes Forest Bug
Adult: Surrey (September 2007) ©Ashley Wood

Adult: (September 2007) ©Jonathan Michaelson

Pentatoma rufipes Forest Bug nymph Pentatoma rufipes Forest Bug nymph
Early instar nymph: Kent (September 2009) ©John Jeffery

Mid instar nymph:  Lincs (June 2008) ©Ian Beddison
Pentatoma rufipes Forest Bug nymph Pentatoma rufipes Forest Bug nymph
Mid instar nymph: Leics (May 2008) ©Rachel Scopes

Final instar nymph: Berks (June 2008) ©Jonathan Michaelson
Pentatoma rufipes Forest Bug nymph Pentatoma rufipes Forest Bug nymph
Final instar nymph: north London (June 2009) ©Laurence Counter

Teneral adult: (July 2007) ©Peter Birch