A rather large and attractive shieldbug with a subtle bronze iridescence across the upper surface. It is a fairly uniform brown colour with a small orange band on its antenna, separating it readily from other similar species. The nymphs are not seen often, but have strong orange, red or cream colouration.
Distribution in Ireland: Widespread and reasonably common, but rarely seen in numbers.
Habitat: Deciduous and mixed woodlands, heath and bog margins, rarely conifer plantations and occasionally in parks and gardens.
Habits: A predatory species which feeds on a variety of insects found in deciduous and sometimes coniferous trees. Both adults and nymphs spend their time in trees and beating or visual searching of the lower branches can yield this species, although it is never numerous and can be elusive. Overwintering occurs as an adult in evergreen vegetation such as Gorse bushes and Scots Pine trees.
