About

Largely restricted to silver birch trees, the peculiar parent bug looks much like the birch shield bug at first glance. But closer examination of the flanks will show its distinctive black-and-cream bands; the flanks of the birch shield bug are pale green. The real difference, however, can be seen in their behaviour. While the other shield bugs lay their eggs and then leave their young to fend for themselves, the parent bug is a dedicated mother. She lays her eggs in a tight cluster on the underside of a silver birch leaf, and then she broods her clutch, sitting protectively over the eggs until they hatch. She stays with her family until the young finally become adults.