| Arma custos (Fabricius, 1794) |
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Scientific name: Arma custos (Fabricius, 1794) Common name: French name: Order: Heteroptera Family: Pentatomidae Wingspan : 11-14.5 mm. Biotope: Forests, woodland edges, clearings, on trees (particularly on Alders) and on shrubs. Geographic area: Europe, Asia east to China and to japan. Observation period : All year. Arma custos over winters in the adult state. |
Arma custos is a dark brown to pale brown shield bug with sometimes some greenish tones. The body shape is very flat. The front of the head is wide giving a rather square-shaped head. The front edge of the pronotum draws a slightly concave curve. The lateral angles are sharp and darker. They protrude from each side of the body. The connexivum is very pale with black marks. The legs are pale reddish yellow. The antennae, of five articles, are yellow and often with black marks on the third and fourth articles. The second article is more than twice longer than the third one. Arma custos uses its strong roster to kill other insects and especially their larvae and suck their internal fluids. |
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The general shape of the body and the colour of the antennae are enough to tell Arma custos apart. |
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This side view clearly shows the flat body shape. |
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I have annoyed this shield bug to take pictures. It has suddenly immobilized itself on its back in what I think is a catalepsy reflex. So I have been able to shoot an under side view on which you can see the roster. |
André Bon November 2013