eggs!

Palomena prasina (Green shield bug)

Verbena bonariensis (Verbena)

Last update: 23 December 2018


Common

LOCATION: Krimpen aan den IJssel, garden

OBSERVATION:
2016-VI-242016-VI-082016-VI-062016-VI-022016-V-31


I found a cluster of insect eggs on a Verbana bonariensis plant that after some research turned out to be of the Green shield bug1.

Eggs Green shield bug (Palomena prasina) on Verbana bonariensis

The eggs were deposited on about 2/3 the length of the plant stem, and were very visible especially due to the color that made them stand-out in its surroundins.

Eggs Green shield bug (Palomena prasina) on Verbana bonariensis

After six days the nymphs became visible in the shells. The eggs are very nicely formed like little keggs with a lid. The lid shows a black triangle which outlins the labrum and sucking apparatus of the insect. The red dots are its eyes.

Eggs Green shield bug (Palomena prasina) with nymphs visible inside, on Verbana bonariensis
Sideview eggs Green shield bug (Palomena prasina) with nymphs visibile inside

Eight days after first observation the nymphs came out of the shells, by slowly wiggling around gradually freeing itself.

1e Instars Green shield bug (Palomena prasina) wiggling out their eggs

Afterwards the nymphs sat there for days without moving, and when i examined them more closely they all turned out to be dead. No idea why.

Somewhere else in the garden I found another cluster of eggs on Dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis) with already freed nymphs that were hardening their skinns.  Unfortunately at next inspection they had all moved on so I was not able to follow their growth progress.

1st Instars Green shield bug (Palomena prasina) hardening after hatching, on Dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis)

References

1 British bugs, An online identification guide to UK Hemiptera

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