Invertebrates
Hawthorn Shield Bug
Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale
On a hawthorn bush in September, a hawthorn shield bug perches among the berries, its green shield turning to autumn brown.
Overview
The hawthorn shield bug, Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale, is a common green shield bug of woodland, hedgerows, and gardens across much of Europe. Its flat shield shape, reddish markings, and sap-sucking habits make it one of the most familiar bugs on British hedgerow trees.
A bug with its own season
Hawthorn shield bugs turn from fresh green to reddish-brown as autumn arrives, and then seek out sheltered places to wait out the winter.
Status
Not Evaluated, but widespread and common.
Hawthorn Shield Bug: common questions
Why is it called the hawthorn shield bug?
It feeds on the leaves, buds, and berries of hawthorn, and has a flat, shield-shaped body.
Does it smell?
Yes, it releases a smelly chemical from glands on its body when handled or threatened.
How does it spend the winter?
It overwinters as an adult in sheltered places such as leaf litter, bark crevices, and the walls and sheds of buildings.
How is it different from the green shield bug?
It has a reddish-brown patch behind the head and reddish wing tips, whereas the green shield bug is mostly green.