CLOSED: Shield bug?

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philomel Castelnau RB Pyrenée, France(Zone 8a) Sep 23, 2007

Is this the nymph/larva of a shield bug? It was climbing on Lavandula dentata.
We have lots of different species of shield bug here, but I've never seen one of these before.

Thumbnail by philomel
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philomel Castelnau RB Pyrenée, France(Zone 8a) Sep 25, 2007

Bumping :)

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wallaby1 Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) Sep 25, 2007

philomel, this could be an immature Sloe Bug. The antennae are double ringed in white, your bug looks to have those rings. It is strange to be all pink, but all shield bugs change colour from winter to spring when they mature.

http://www.gardensafari.net/english/picpages/dolycoris_baccarum.htm

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wallaby1 Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) Sep 25, 2007

I found one at the same stage as yours,

http://www.fugleognatur.dk/english/gallery_uk.asp?mode=ShowLarge&ID=11448

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btc129psu Finger Lakes, NY(Zone 6a) Sep 26, 2007

While I can't say for sure since I'm not familiar with Europe's bugs (and I'm by no means an entymological expert myself) but many insects molt as they mature. Often immediately after a molt the new chitin (dermal layer) is still soft and moist causing it to have a milky pale color which usualy makes it look white or pink. I've seen it often in local cicadas and crickets. On the other hand, your bug may just naturaly be pink (as the reddish eyes suggest). Who knows?

-Brian

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philomel Castelnau RB Pyrenée, France(Zone 8a) Sep 26, 2007

Thank you both very much for your replies, and the interesting info Brian.

Wallaby, you've cracked it! That second link is a (much better) photo of the same beast! Thanks very much for your input and links. I'll look up more about their life cycle now, fascinating stuff :)

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