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Berry Fart - _TNY_5169

Here is an adult green shield bug (Palomena prasina) from Åva-Stensjödal in the Tyreesta National Park, just south of Stockholm, Sweden.

 

Unlike beetles, shield bugs go through five instar stages as nymphs before finally shifting into the imago - the adult form.

 

For a shot from the same day of one which still is in one of theinstar stages, please have a look here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/52715358068/

 

In North America, shield bugs are known as "stink bugs" and in Swedish, the name "bärfis" literally translates to "berry fart". This is because they employ spraying a foul-smelling liquid as a form of defense against predators - skunk-style.

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Uploaded on January 10, 2024
Taken on August 20, 2021