# Hawthorn Shield Bug (*Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale*) The Hawthorn Shield Bug is a colorful insect that loves to munch on leaves. It has a special shield-like shape that helps protect it from predators. You can often find it in gardens and parks! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas, Gardens ![Hawthorn Shield Bug](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Acanthasoma_hamorrhoidale_adult.jpg&width=800) Photo: Velela, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acanthasoma_hamorrhoidale_adult.jpg) ## Appearance The Hawthorn Shield Bug is bright green with distinct red-orange markings on its 'shoulders' (pronotum) and at the tip of its abdomen. Its broad, shield-like body shape makes it stand out from typical slender insects, giving it a unique look. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Acanthosomatidae - **Genus:** Acanthosoma ## Interesting facts - Baby Hawthorn Shield Bugs are called nymphs and look just like tiny adults! - Their bright colors often warn predators that they taste very bad! - These cool insects get their name from their favorite tree, the Hawthorn! - They can sometimes be found resting upside-down beneath leaves! ## Special abilities - **Stink Bomb Spray:** Hawthorn Shield Bug can release a foul-smelling liquid to deter hungry birds and other predators. - **Leafy Disguise:** Hawthorn Shield Bug has a green body that helps them blend perfectly with the leaves they live on. - **Seasonal Hibernation:** Hawthorn Shield Bug can spend winter as an adult, hidden away until warmer spring days return. - **Juice Drinker:** Hawthorn Shield Bug has a straw-like mouthpart that helps them suck nourishing sap from plants and berries. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-30 mm - **Size:** 10-14 mm - **Lifespan:** 300-400 days - **Flight Speed:** 5 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These bugs are vegetarians, sipping tasty juices from plants, especially berries and leaves. - **Primary Foods:** Hawthorn berries, Hawthorn leaves, Beech sap, Birch sap, Oak sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Common Hawthorn (*Crataegus monogyna*) — Feeds on berries and leaves of this common tree. - **Eats:** [Silver Birch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/silver-birch) (*Betula pendula*) — Sometimes feeds on sap from the leaves of this tree. - **Eaten by:** [European Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-robin) (*Erithacus rubecula*) — This bird might try to eat the shield bug. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — A common garden bird that might prey on them. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [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. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These bugs are not harmful, but it's best to look and not touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hawthorn 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 Hawthorn Shield Bug's wingspan? 20-30 mm ### How big is Hawthorn Shield Bug? 10-14 mm ### How long does Hawthorn Shield Bug live? 300-400 days ### How fast can Hawthorn Shield Bug fly? 5 km/h ### What does Hawthorn Shield Bug eat? These bugs are vegetarians, sipping tasty juices from plants, especially berries and leaves. ### Where is Hawthorn Shield Bug usually found? Urban areas, Gardens ### How does Hawthorn Shield Bug hunt? Foraging ## 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: [Hawthorn Shield Bug: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hawthorn-shield-bug)