About Cyphostethus tristriatus (Fabricius, 1787)
The juniper shield bug, whose scientific name is Cyphostethus tristriatus, belongs to the family Acanthosomatidae. It is a large green shield bug, measuring 9–10.5 mm, with distinctive pinkish-red markings on the corium. Juniper is the bug's traditional foodplant, and its larvae feed on juniper berries. The species has also adapted to use Lawson cypress (Chamaecyparis spp.) as a host. In the United Kingdom, it was formerly scarce and largely restricted to southern juniper woodlands. In recent years, it has become common across southern and central England, due to widespread garden planting of juniper and cypress. Recent discoveries of the bug on juniper stands in northern England and Scotland suggest the species' range may be expanding. The juniper shield bug is active for most of the year, except during the coldest months. It overwinters in the adult stage, and emerges to mate in early spring. New adult individuals can be found from late August onward.
