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Piezodorus lituratus Gorse Shieldbug Family: Pentatomidae A large shieldbug with two adult colour forms which are related to sexual maturity. Those emerging and mating in the spring are predominantly green, whereas the new generation appearing in the late summer have purple-red markings on the pronotum and corium. As in many other shieldbugs, this species frequently beoomes darker prior to hibernation. Although often associated with gorse, larvae also feed on broom, dyer's greenwood and other plants in the Genisteae, and have also been found on laburnum and clovers. Common and widepsread throughout Britain and Ireland, in many habitats where gorse is present. Adult: All year Length 10-13 mm
	Spring adult: Lincs (April 2007) ©Adrian Royle
Spring adult: south London (April 2008) ©Tristan Bantock	Summer adult: Berks (September 2007) ©Jonathan Michaelson
Adults: ©northeastwildlife	Summer adult: Leics (August 2009) ©David Gould
Eggs: (April 2007) ©Jon Law (Improved Image)	Early instar nymph: Yorks (August 2009) ©Joe Botting
Mid instar nymph: Surrey (July 2009) ©Ashley Wood	Final instar nymph: Surrey (August 2009) ©Ashley Wood
Final instar nymph: Berks (July 2009) ©Jonathan Michaelson	Final instar nymph: Dorset (August 2009) ©David Longshaw