Shieldbugs are medium to large members of the True Bugs (order Hemiptera), so called because of their shield-like body shape. Ireland has 15 true resident shieldbug species, with a 16th species which is not a true shieldbug, but is often grouped with the other species due to its similar appearance. They are a familiar group of insects and are fairly straightforward to find and identify, making them an ideal group to start with when finding or studying Irish insects.
Below are species profiles dedicated to each of our resident species, with some further profiles covering occasional vagrants. They include some general information, as well as more detailed sections on Irish distribution and their ecology.
Resident Species
Hawthorn Shieldbug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale)
Birch Shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus)
Parent Shieldbug (Elasmucha grisea)
Juniper Shieldbug (Cypostethus tristriatus)
Forget-me-not Shieldbug (Sehirus luctuosus)
Tortoise Shieldbug (Eurygaster testudinaria)
Blue Shieldbug (Zicrona caerulea)
Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum)
Forest Bug (Pentatoma rufipes)
Bronze Shieldbug (Troilus luridus)
Heather Shieldbug (Rhacognathus punctatus)
Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus)
Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)
Spiked Shieldbug (Picromerus bidens)
Scarab Shieldbug (Thyreocoris scarabaeoides)
Occasional Species
Ornate Shieldbug (Eurydema ornata)
Southern Green Shieldbug (Nezara viridula)
Other Shieldbug Species
Ireland has 16 resident shieldbug species, however there are many more which exist in continental Europe. Those which I have come across and identified have been listed below:
Umbellifer Shieldbug (Graphosoma italicum)
Semipunctated Shieldbug (Graphosoma semipunctatum)
Red Shieldbug (Carpocoris mediterraneus)
Red-tipped Green Shieldbug (Acrosternum heegeri)
