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Palomena prasina Common Green Shieldbug
Family: Pentatomidae

A large shieldbug with a dark wing membrane and reddish antennae (4th and 5th segments). Adults are bright green in the spring and summer, but finely punctured with dark marks. They become a darker bronze-brown prior to winter hibernation.

There is one generation per year; the nymphs feed on many deciduous trees and shrubs, and can be found from June to October. Later nymphs are often darker than those found earlier in the season. Newly-emerged adults may show a pale wing membrane, leading to possible confusion with Nezara viridula, a recent arrival in southern England.

Common and widespread throughout Britain and Ireland in numerous habitats, as far north as southern Scotland.

Adult: All year
Length 12-13.5 mm

see illustrated life stages chart
Palomena prasina Green Shieldbug
Spring adult: north London (April 2007) ©Tristan Bantock

Palomena prasina Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina Green Shieldbug
Spring adult: west London (May 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
Winter adult: Oxon (November 2008) ©Bob Knight

Palomena prasina Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina Green Shieldbug
Winter adult: south London (March 2007) ©Joe Botting

Female egg-laying: ©Trevor & Dilys Pendelton (Eakring Wildlife)
Palomena prasina Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina Green Shieldbug
Eggs: Surrey (June 2007) ©Ashley Wood

1st instar nymphs: Shropshire (June 2003) ©Nigel Jones
Palomena prasina Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina Green Shieldbug
2nd instar nymph: south Wales (June 2006) ©Ian Tew

3rd instar nymph: Lincs (July 2006) ©Jon Law (Improved Image)
Palomena prasina Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina Green Shieldbug
3rd instar nymph: Surrey (June 2007) ©Ashley Wood

4th instar nymph: Surrey (August 2007) ©Ashley Wood
Palomena prasina Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina Green Shieldbug
4th instar nymph: Surrey (September 2007) ©Ashley Wood

Final instar nymph: south Wales (August 2006) ©Ian Tew

Palomena prasina Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina Green Shieldbug
Final instar nymph: Surrey (September 2007) ©Ashley Wood

Newly emerged adult:  south London (September 2007) ©Joe Botting