Scientific name Pentatoma rufipes Higher classification Pentatoma Order True bugs | Genus Pentatoma Rank Species | |
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Similar Pentatoma, True bugs, Green shield bug, Dolycoris baccarum, Graphosoma lineatum | ||
The forest bug or Red-legged Shieldbug (Pentatoma rufipes) is a species of shield bug in the family Pentatomidae.
Contents
Distribution and habitat
This common species is widespread in most of Europe. It can be found in forests, woodlands, orchards and gardens.
Description
Pentatoma rufipes can reach a length of 11–14 millimetres (0.43–0.55 in). These large and flat shieldbugs are shaped like an escutcheon-type shield. They have a dark brown body in autumn, lighter in summer, usually bronze-colored. They show red-orange to cream markings at the tip of the scutellum. Connexivum usually has dark brown, reddish and light blue bands. The legs and the first segment of the antennae are usually red-brown or bright orange. Its distinguishing characteristic is a pair of projections extending forward from the shoulders at the front of its dorsal thorax. The larvae are dark, but become lighter, especially at the hind body with increasing age.
Biology
The forest bugs are polyphagous. Their main food source is any of several species of oaks, but it can also be found on alder, hazel and other deciduous trees, including apple and cherry.
It is a sap-feeder and uses piercing mouthparts to withdraw the liquid. Occasionally adults will consume insects, especially caterpillars, as well as fruits. Adults can be found from July to November. Females lay eggs during the summer in the cracks of tree bark, or on a leaf top and the larvae hatch the following spring.
The forest bug is also an agricultural and garden pest, as it will not hesitate to feed on fruit and nut trees.
