Forest shield bug facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Forest shield bug |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Oncacontias
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O. vittatus
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| Oncacontias vittatus Fabricus
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The forest shield bug (Oncacontias vittatus) is a cool insect found only in New Zealand. It's a type of shield bug, named for its shield-like shape. Young forest shield bugs, called nymphs, like to munch on grasses. Adult bugs eat different New Zealand plants, even tough ones like Rimu trees. This bug was one of the first insects from New Zealand that a European scientist ever described!
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Naming the Forest Shield Bug
Scientists give every living thing a special name. This helps everyone know exactly which creature they are talking about. The forest shield bug's scientific name is Oncacontias vittatus.
How its Name Changed Over Time
The forest shield bug was first described in 1781 by a scientist named Johan Christian Fabricius. He called it Cimex vittatus. Over the years, as scientists learned more, they sometimes moved the bug into different groups.
In 1851, its name changed to Acanthosoma vittatum. Later, in 1878, it was called Anubis vittatus. Finally, in 1906, it was placed in the Oncacontias group, which is where it stays today.
Where Forest Shield Bugs Live
The forest shield bug is found all over New Zealand. You can spot them from lowlands all the way up to high mountain areas. They live in many different places.
Habitats and Homes
These bugs can be found in native forests and even in forests with trees from other countries. They also live in grassy areas called tussock lands and along riverbanks.
Adult forest shield bugs are usually around from October to January. You might find them hiding in leaf litter, in moss, under logs, or at the bottom of plants.
What They Eat
Adult forest shield bugs eat sap from many different plants. These include Rimu trees, Monterey pine trees, ferns, and Nothofagus trees.
Young forest shield bugs, called nymphs, are a bit pickier. They mostly feed on grasses.
