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Podops inuncta Turtle Shieldbug
Family: Pentatomidae

 A fairly small shieldbug with two unmistakeable features; a long tongue-like scutellum which reaches the rear of the abdomen and two small projections on the pronotum at each side of the head.

Usually strongly ground-dwelling, although ascends vegetation in the spring. Most easily found under artificial refugia such as reptile mats. There is one generation per year, adults mating and laying eggs in spring/early summer. The larvae feed on a range of grasses.

 Widespread and fairly common across southern and central England as far north as Yorkshire and parts of south Wales. 

 Adult: All year
Length 5.0-6.0 mm

see illustrated life stages chart		 Podops inuncta
Adult: Kent (August 2010) ©Tristan Bantock
Podops inuncta Podops inuncta
Adult: Herts (May 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
 Adult: Kent (August 2010) ©Tristan Bantock
Podops inuncta Podops inuncta nymph
Late instar nymph: Kent (August 2010) ©Tristan Bantock
Late instar nymph: Kent (July 2006) ©Brian Valentine