This shieldbug is well named, being the only hairy species present in Ireland. Otherwise, it is a medium-large species which is primarily maroon in colour with dull olive-green areas and a chequered abdominal margin. The adults are noticeably brighter in colour during spring and summer, becoming much duller during the overwintering period.
Distribution in Ireland: Widespread and often rather common, but scarcer in the northern counties.
Habitat: Found in a wide range of habitats with grassy areas and those with herbaceous vegetation, such as parks, gardens, woodland edges and clearings, brownfield sites, drier grasslands and scrub.
Habits: A herbivorous species which is sometimes called the Sloe Bug due to its preference for Blackthorn, but a wide variety of plants may be used. It is typically observed low down on herbaceous plants and shrubs, where sweeping, beating or visual searching can all be effective methods to find it. It seemingly does not travel far to overwinter, with the adults being found in grassy tussocks or low-growing, evergreen vegetation. It has been spreading northwards in Ireland and now occupies most areas, although it is still local in the northern counties.
