# Green Shield Bug (*Palomena prasina*) The Green Shield Bug is a bright green insect that loves to munch on plants. They are friendly and harmless! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Gardens, fields, and woodlands - **Also known as:** Common Green Shield Bug ![Green Shield Bug](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426206/objects/5522.jpg) ## Appearance The Green Shield Bug is a bright green insect with a distinctive shield-shaped body, which can sometimes turn brownish or purplish in autumn. It has prominent antennae and often a small, darker triangular scutellum on its back, making it easy to recognize. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Pentatomidae - **Genus:** Palomena ## Interesting facts - Adults can survive winter by hiding in cracks and staying super still! - Green Shield Bugs can taste with their antennae to find the best food! - Their babies, called nymphs, look like tiny, colourful alien creatures! - They are called 'true bugs' because of their special straw-like mouth! ## Special abilities - **Stink Alarm:** Green Shield Bug can release a foul-smelling liquid when disturbed because of glands that help them deter predators. - **Color Cloak:** Green Shield Bug has a body that changes from green to brown because it helps them camouflage perfectly with seasonal plants. - **Sap Sucker:** Green Shield Bug can drink plant juices because of its specialized piercing-sucking mouthparts that help them feed. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-30 mm - **Size:** 12-14 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These bugs sip the juices from various plants using their straw-like mouths! - **Age differences:** Nymphs primarily feed on sap from young, tender plant parts, whereas adults also feed on ripening fruits. - **Primary Foods:** berries, fruit tree sap, nettle leaves, thistle stems - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Great Tits prey on various insects, including shield bugs. - **Eats:** [Red Raspberry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-raspberry) (*Rubus idaeus*) — The bug feeds on the sap and ripening fruits of raspberry plants. - **Eats:** Stinging Nettle (*Urtica dioica*) — Nymphs and adults feed on the sap from stinging nettle leaves. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Green Shield Bug? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Green Shield Bug's wingspan? 25-30 mm ### How big is Green Shield Bug? 12-14 mm ### How long does Green Shield Bug live? 60-90 days ### How fast can Green Shield Bug fly? 8 km/h ### What does Green Shield Bug eat? These bugs sip the juices from various plants using their straw-like mouths! ### Where is Green Shield Bug usually found? Gardens, fields, and woodlands ### How does Green Shield Bug hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/birmingham-wildlife-conservation-park) — England, GB · Zoo - [Diergaarde Blijdorp](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/diergaarde-blijdorp) — South Holland, NL · Zoo - [Pairi Daiza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pairi-daiza) — Hainaut, BE · Zoo - [Newquay Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/newquay-zoo) — England, GB · Zoo - [Bärenpark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/b-renpark) — Bern, CH · Zoo [View all places to see Green Shield Bug](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/green-shield-bug) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Green Shield Bug: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/green-shield-bug)