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Youngster - _TNY_8193

Shield bugs like this birch shield bug (Elasmostethus interstinctus) develop through several instar stages - it's not a larvae which then turns into an imago (adult). They can have some similarity between instar stages, but not always.

 

On distinct difference between the nymphs and the imago are the wings. Only the adults have wings and if you look at this one you can see the darker parts of the back which are what will develop into wings eventually, but at this stage they are unable to fly.

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Uploaded on April 24, 2022
Taken on September 1, 2020