Tritomegas bicolor, (Linnaeus, 1758) Commonly known as Pied Shieldbug.
Length 5.5 to 7.5mm
Adults: April to August.
The Pied Shieldbug is commonly found in most parts of Southern Britain, but is absent in Scotland. Also, fairly common in parts of mid and south Europe, North Africa and into central Asia.
Habitat: Woodland edges, hedgerows, overgrown gardens, roadside verges and wastelands. Found mostly where various labiates (plants of the mint family, including nettles and Ballota nigra (Black horehound) are growing.
After overwintering as an adult, the Pied Shieldbug mates in the springtime. Females do show signs of caring for their eggs and for their newly hatched brood. The nymphs will be seen mainly from June to August (nymphs are yellowish with black horizontal lines across the body). Normally one generation a year, although the generations tend to overlap with one another.