Sheild bugs / Punaise in France
True bugs / Punaise.
True bugs / Punaise.
BELOW: Pyrrhocoris apterus a very common species known as Firebug in English and in France by various names such as Gendarme, Diable cherche-midi, Cordonnier, Masque-nègres plus others depending on region. A harmless insect that eats mostly fallen seeds and dead insects and can be found throughout France.
BELOW: Pyrrhocoris apterus a very common species known as Firebug in English and in France by various names such as Gendarme, Diable cherche-midi, Cordonnier, Masque-nègres plus others depending on region. A harmless insect that eats mostly fallen seeds and dead insects and can be found throughout France.
BELOW: Nezara viridula, commonly known as the Southern green stink bug. Can be found all over France and can possibly cause some damage to vegetable plants from sucking juices from stems and leaves, green beans, tomatoes etc. Changes colour to brown in winter. Harmless for humans.
BELOW: Nezara viridula, commonly known as the Southern green stink bug. Can be found all over France and can possibly cause some damage to vegetable plants from sucking juices from stems and leaves, green beans, tomatoes etc. Changes colour to brown in winter. Harmless for humans.
BELOW: Other pre-adult stages of Nezara viridula.
BELOW: Other pre-adult stages of Nezara viridula.
BELOW: Palomena prasinathe Green shield bug or Punaise verte des bois in French found all over France can be confused with N viridula the species above. This species changes colour in winter to brown and often enter houses and other buildings for shelter. Completely harmless and feeds on tree leaves.
BELOW: Palomena prasinathe Green shield bug or Punaise verte des bois in French found all over France can be confused with N viridula the species above. This species changes colour in winter to brown and often enter houses and other buildings for shelter. Completely harmless and feeds on tree leaves.
Summer
Summer
Winter
Winter
RIGHT: Melanocoryphus albomaculatus, a seed bug is found all over France but more common as you move south. Eats fallen seeds and overwinters in ground debris or under some other cover.
RIGHT: Melanocoryphus albomaculatus, a seed bug is found all over France but more common as you move south. Eats fallen seeds and overwinters in ground debris or under some other cover.
LEFT: Corizus hyoscyami, Punaise de la jusquiame in French is very common and found throughout France. Associated with a number of plants but causes no harm.
LEFT: Corizus hyoscyami, Punaise de la jusquiame in French is very common and found throughout France. Associated with a number of plants but causes no harm.
BELOW: Eurydema ornata, the Red Cabbage Bug in English, La punaise rouge du chou or punaise ornée in French, is widespread in France and feeds on Brassicas; Cabbages, Kale, Turnips, Swedes, Cauliflowers, Brussel sprouts etc.
BELOW: Eurydema ornata, the Red Cabbage Bug in English, La punaise rouge du chou or punaise ornée in French, is widespread in France and feeds on Brassicas; Cabbages, Kale, Turnips, Swedes, Cauliflowers, Brussel sprouts etc.
Adult
Adult
Instar
Instar
BELOW:
BELOW:
Graphosoma italicum known as the Italian striped bug because of its striped appearance. It is usually found on umbelliferous plants, such as wild carrots, especially their flowers and seed heads. Because most predators tend to leave it alone it is found in the open more than most shield bugs. Warmth loving, rare in the north of France but common south of the Loire.
Graphosoma italicum known as the Italian striped bug because of its striped appearance. It is usually found on umbelliferous plants, such as wild carrots, especially their flowers and seed heads. Because most predators tend to leave it alone it is found in the open more than most shield bugs. Warmth loving, rare in the north of France but common south of the Loire.
Visible on the 2nd one is an egg of a parasitic fly (Tachinidae). Below them are 2 pre-adult stages
Visible on the 2nd one is an egg of a parasitic fly (Tachinidae). Below them are 2 pre-adult stages
RIGHT: Lygaeus equestris, Black-and-Red-bug can be found in most regions of France. Principle food sources are milkweed and dandelions. Harmless for humans.
RIGHT: Lygaeus equestris, Black-and-Red-bug can be found in most regions of France. Principle food sources are milkweed and dandelions. Harmless for humans.
BELOW: Two forms of Prostemma Prostemma guttula, winged and un-winged. More likely to be found in warmer parts of France although it is in the north. It eats other Sheild Bugs and will cannibalise its own that are less developed.
BELOW: Two forms of Prostemma Prostemma guttula, winged and un-winged. More likely to be found in warmer parts of France although it is in the north. It eats other Sheild Bugs and will cannibalise its own that are less developed.
BELOW: A couple of Mottled shield bugs Rhaphigaster nebulosa. (La punaise nébuleuse in French). Feeds on broadleaved trees, shrubs and plants and is found all over France, more so in the milder regions. Overwinter as adults in cavities etc. sometimes buildings. (with female Common European earwig Forficula auricularia)
BELOW: A couple of Mottled shield bugs Rhaphigaster nebulosa. (La punaise nébuleuse in French). Feeds on broadleaved trees, shrubs and plants and is found all over France, more so in the milder regions. Overwinter as adults in cavities etc. sometimes buildings. (with female Common European earwig Forficula auricularia)
RIGHT: Rhyparochromus vulgaris. Overwinters as adult and prefers grasslands or semi wooded areas. Mainly eats fallen seeds and is harmless for humans.
RIGHT: Rhyparochromus vulgaris. Overwinters as adult and prefers grasslands or semi wooded areas. Mainly eats fallen seeds and is harmless for humans.
RIGHT: Two Shield bugs in this photo hiding together under a hive lid for the winter.
RIGHT: Two Shield bugs in this photo hiding together under a hive lid for the winter.
LEFT/UPPER Heterogaster urticae Nettle Ground Bug. Found throughout France on its host plant stinging nettle.
LEFT/UPPER Heterogaster urticae Nettle Ground Bug. Found throughout France on its host plant stinging nettle.
RIGHT/LOWER Aphanus rolandri. Found throughout on dry grassland, heaths. Neither species are harmful for humans.
RIGHT/LOWER Aphanus rolandri. Found throughout on dry grassland, heaths. Neither species are harmful for humans.
LEFT: Mating pair of Camptopus lateralis or Broad headed bug. Feeds on a range of plants including Broom and Gorse.
LEFT: Mating pair of Camptopus lateralis or Broad headed bug. Feeds on a range of plants including Broom and Gorse.
LEFT: Spilostethus-pandurus - la punaise à damier. Feeds on a range of plants including poisonous plants such as Datura and Oleander which is where I photographed this specimen.
LEFT: Spilostethus-pandurus - la punaise à damier. Feeds on a range of plants including poisonous plants such as Datura and Oleander which is where I photographed this specimen.
LEFT: The Blue Shieldbug, Zicrona caerulea, feeds on other small insects, especially Leaf beetles.
LEFT: The Blue Shieldbug, Zicrona caerulea, feeds on other small insects, especially Leaf beetles.
RIGHT: Rhopalus subrufus has no common name in French or English. Found all over France in low dense vegetation where it is usually found on St Johns Wort, Herb Robert, Wormwood along with other plants. Overwinters as adult.
RIGHT: Rhopalus subrufus has no common name in French or English. Found all over France in low dense vegetation where it is usually found on St Johns Wort, Herb Robert, Wormwood along with other plants. Overwinters as adult.
LEFT: The Dock Bug, Coreus marginatus, is a common bug that can be found throughout France where they principally feed on the leaves and seeds of docks and sorrels. They over winter as adults and have one brood a year.
LEFT: The Dock Bug, Coreus marginatus, is a common bug that can be found throughout France where they principally feed on the leaves and seeds of docks and sorrels. They over winter as adults and have one brood a year.