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Troilus luridus Bronze Shieldbug
Family: Pentatomidae

 A large predatory shieldbug which has an orange band on the penultimate antennal segment. The legs are brown and the scutellum lacks an orange tip.

There is one generation per year, the nymphs feeding on plants as well as the larvae of other insects, particularly caterpillars. New adults may be found from July onwards.

A woodland species which is associated with both deciduous and coniferous trees and occurs widely across Britain and Ireland.
Adult: All year
Length 10-12 mm

see illustrated life stages chart		 Troilus luridus
Adult: Surrey (September 2010) ©Tristan Bantock
Troilus luridus Troilus luridus
Adult: north London (July 2009) ©Tristan Bantock Adult: south London (September 2007) ©Joe Botting
Troilus luridus eggs Troilus luridus nymphs
Eggs: Surrey (July 2009) ©Ashley Wood

 First instar nymphs:  (July 2007) ©Jon Law (Improved Image)
Troilus luridus nymph Troilus luridus nymph
Early instar nymph: (July 2006) ©Jon Law (Improved Image)

 Mid instar nymph: Berks (July 2009) ©Jonathan Michaelson
Troilus luridus nymph Troilus luridus nymph
Mid instar nymph: Herts (July 2009) ©Tristan Bantock

 Final instar nymph: (September 2006) ©Jon Law (Improved Image)
Troilus luridus nymph Troilus luridus nymph
Final instar nymph: Kent (September 2009) ©John Jeffery

 Final instar nymph: Lincs (July 2007) ©Adrian Royle