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Juniper shield bug

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The juniper shield bug, Cyphostethus tristriatus (Fab.) (family: Acanthosomatidae) is a large (9-10.5 mm) green shield bug with distinctive pinkish-red markings on the corium.[1]

Its traditional foodplant is juniper, with the larvae feeding on juniper berries.[1] The bug has also adapted to use Lawson cypress[1] (Chamecyparis spp.)[2] as a host. In the United Kingdom it was formerly scarce[3] and restricted largely to southern juniper woodlands but in recent years it has become common across southern and central England as a result of the widespread garden planting of juniper and cypress.[1] Recent discoveries on stands of juniper in northern England and Scotland suggest that the range of the species may be extending.[1]

The juniper shield bug is active for most of the year apart from the coldest months.[1] It overwinters as an adult, emerging to mate in the early spring.[1] New adults may be found from late August onwards.[1]

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