ID for a shield bug please

[Chris Jackson]

Hi there,
Anyone know what this species of shield bug is please ?
The white spots on the "shoulders" look distinctive.
This was seen in the South of France in October.
Thanks, Chris

[Paul Wetton]

I gather from the photos that the white spots are possibly not it's natural coloration as they are unevenly spaced from the head the right shoulder spot being further away from the head than the left. Not sure of the species but this could be the red brown form of the Green Shield Bug which is normally found in warmer climates than our own but has recently spread to Britain. Would be a good candidate in the South of France.

[kevling]

Chris,

Not too sure on the exact species in your photo, however there are non - native species making their way over from Asia (aka Stink bugs) with imported timber and the like.
By strange coincidence, the following article was recently found on BBC website.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-29990334

I know the species mentioned is not the one in your photo, but there are others that could have come from further afield and not neccesarily native to southern France.

Regards Kev

[Chris Jackson]

Thanks a lot Paul and Kev.
I've read the article through the link and it seems some species of stink bug could be a real pest. Lets hope we don't have the same problems in our part of Europe.
Cheers, Chris

[Mikhail]

Paul is on the right lines. The three small white points behind the pronotum are typical of a species now established in the London area, known as the Southern Green Shieldbug Nezara viridula.

M.

[Chris Jackson]

Thanks Mikhaïl, I'll get onto the web and do some research.
Chris