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Eurygaster testudinaria Family: Scutelleridae Fairly large shieldbugs, the two Eurygaster species are often known as Tortoise Bugs. The ground colour and intensity of the markings are variable. This species is distinguished from the slightly smaller and rarer E. maura by the slight central depression at the front of the head and the slightly more protruding hind corners ('shoulders') of the pronotum. These characters are not always reliable; genitalic examination may be necessary. Females show a gap between the genital plate and the previous segment (often visible in the field with a hand lens), while the male aedaegus has 4 internal spines (requires dissection). Nymphs feed on grasses between May-August, becoming adult from July. Previously uncommon, it is now widespread in southern Britain and Ireland in dry and damp grasslands and is expanding its range northwards. Adult: All year Length 9-11 mm
	Adult: Dorset (September 2007) ©David Longshaw
Adult detail: Berks (May 2008) ©Darren Bradley	Adult detail: Glamorgan (June 2009) ©Barry Stewart
Adult: Berks (May 2008) ©Darren Bradley	Adult: north London (May 2007) ©Tristan Bantock
Adult: Berks (May 2010) ©Jonathan Michaelson	Adult: Surrey (August 2007) ©Stuart Read
Adult: Surrey (August 2007) ©Stuart Read	Early instar nymph: Surrey (June 2009) ©Tristan Bantock
Mid instar nymph: Surrey (July 2009) ©Tristan Bantock	Final instar nymph: south London (August 2007) ©Joe Botting
Final instar nymph: Berks (August 2009) ©Jonathan Michaelson	Final instar nymph: north London (August 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
Underside of female abdomen showing genital plates ©Tristan Bantock	Male genital capsule showing aedaegus with 4 spines ©Tristan Bantock