Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug

Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug - Aelia acuminata

Description

Length 8 to 9 mm. A large and distinctive striped shieldbug with an obviously pointed head and ridged pronotum. 

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Tall and rank dry grassland habitats

When to see it

Adult: All year, with new adults found from August onwards.

Life History

There is one generation per year, adults mating and laying eggs in spring and early summer. The larvae feed on the ripening seeds of a range of grasses.

UK Status

Widespread across southern Britain.

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland to follow.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records