I cant wait to share with you this series of images. A friend spotted this small shield bug (some call it stink bug) along a canal near a reservoir. It is unique to me because of its shape and colour. I have not seen one like this (but later I know why). ( photo / image / picture from songlim18's Garden ) Within a short time, it started to change. I wonder why it turned yellow because it was not when I first saw it. I knew then it was molting. ( photo / image / picture from songlim18's Garden )
I've seen many shield bugs but never been privileged enough to see one moulting as you did. Excellent shots Songlim!!
I did not time it but I gathered the moment we spotted it till the moment it emerged was about 15 minutes. At one point it was moving back and forth on the twig as if to position itself before it molts. It was very cool to see it happening there and then. I read that it actually molt 5 times before it finally became an adult.
Wow. I get a lot of shield bugs on my raspberries in summer, but have never seen one shedding it's skin.
I'm not too sure just how many species of shield bugs we have here in the UK Songlim. Here are some that I know we have though: Common green Southern green Woundwort Hawthorn Forest Sloe Birch There are probably many more that I'm just not familiar with.