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Click external link here for detailed species information Patrick J. O;Keeffe / Raw Birds
Click external link here for detailed species information
The Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus) is of the family Pentatomidae which is in the genus Piezodorus.This
species is found in most of the temperate regions of North America,
Europe, Northern Asia and parts of Africa. It mainly occurs on Common
Gorse (ulex europeaus), Common Broom (Sarothamnus scoparius) as well as various legumes (Fabaceae).
There are two colour forms, green when it emerges from hibernation in
late spring, having overwintered as an adult. The next generation appear
in summer and following five instar stages, become green adults with
purple red bar markings on the upper parts. In spring, its fully red
antennae help separate from the very similar Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) which has partially red antennae.