CLOSED: CLOSED: Palomena prasina in its winter outfit ?

I know this one looks green in the growing season, but I thought it could be the same in its winter outfit as body shape and size correspond.
I photographed it on 30 December.

another view;

side view

Drying its wings in the sun as I had found it floating in a glass of beer from where I fished it out.

I'm wondering if this is an immature Forest Bug, Pentatoma rufipes. There is a pic of a young one, which would have a transitional stage before maturity where the shoulders are probably not so pronounced. The tip of the shield shape on the back looks to be developing a pinkish colour, which eventually is more orange. The leg colour is more in line with this too, again most likely turning a richer colour with age.

http://www.gardensafari.net/english/picpages/pentatoma_rufipes.htm#top

A list of others,

http://www.gardensafari.net/english/shieldbugs.htm

Although it does say the young of the Green Shield bug may turn brown over winter, there isn't a pic showing that colour. It still could be that though!

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





This message was edited Jan 19, 2008 2:03 AM

Thank you, Wallaby!
Yes, there is indeed a striking likeness with Pentatoma rufipes!
But then that one seem to be larger in size than Palomena prasina and also a bit more longish rectangular in shape.
There is also a subtle reddish dorsal line that runs down from the middle of the neck to the reddish tip of the shield I’m missing on mine. But then that could also be missing in immature ones..
I’m still inclined to think its Palomena prasina.

In my insectbook the two are pictured on the same page and there it's easy to compare the size and shape


This message was edited Jan 20, 2008 8:44 AM

I still have more pics. that could help;

A cropped one;

On my hand;

another cropped one with wings open;

I found a Palomena prasina pic in winter outfit in Google images;
its legs are also brownish..

http://www.insect-photo.com/Photos/Palomena%20prasina.jpg

This message was edited Jan 20, 2008 9:02 AM

On balance I am leaning towards Palomena prasina too, the legs in the pic on your hand still have a green tint too.

What a good trick to get a pic with their wings spread, lol!

I must confess I felt a light uneasiness I actually drunk the beer, after reading that comment in Garden Safari about the bad tasting berries when a green shield bug had passed by, didn't taste anything weird though at the time lol! Perhaps it doesn't produce any secretions in winter time.
I always ignored the popular name 'stink bug' as I found it such an ugly name for such a cute thing.
I also wondered that its wings even after drying must be a little sticky from the beer, perhaps I should have given it a douche.

You're still alive, lol, I couldn't harm them, I find them cute too.

It may have to rely on the rain for a douche!