Marbled Shield Bug (Halyomorpha halys)

OTHER NAMES: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Latin Etymology: Halyomorpha (?) halys (?)  

Marbled Shield Bug (Halyomorpha halys) in Paris, France - August 2026

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 2.7cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

Originally native to East Asia, this species  species has subsequently beeen accidentally introduced world wide including to the USA, continental Europe and South America. It is considered a major agricultural pest that will feed on a huge range of human food crops including apples, soft fruit, lima beans, peppers, tomatoes, corn and soybeans, using their proboscis to extract fluids causing damage to fruit and leading to internal rotting.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Pentatomidae
Genus: Halyomorpha
SUBSPECIES: ?
 
- Sighting Locations -

FRANCE 
A widespread non-native species.
- PARIS 2026 TRIP: Several seen. 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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European Firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus)

OTHER NAMES: Firebug, Linden Bug, Red Soldier Bug
Latin Etymology: Pyrrhocoris ("fire bug") apterus ("wingless")

 

Nymph European Firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus) at Paris, France - July 2026

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 8.5-10mm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A striking and visually distinctive bug originating in Continental Europe, although it has spread around the world as an invasive species. They feed upon lime trees and mallows where they sometimes congregate in great numbers. They long had a tiny isolated population in Devon in the UK, but seem to be expanding their range.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Pyrrhococoridae
Genus: Pyrrhocoris
SUBSPECIES: ?
 
- Sighting Locations -

FRANCE 
A widespread non-native species.
- PARIS 2026 TRIP: Several seen.

SPAIN 

A widespread resident
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: A single individual at Laguna Campillo 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina)

OTHER NAMES: Yellow-legged Hornet, Asian Predatory Wasp
Latin Etymology: Vespa ("wasp") velutina ("velvety")

Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina) in Paris, France - July 2026

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 20-30mm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

Originally from South East Asia, in a range that extends from Afghanistan to Timor and North to Taiwan and China. They have become established in Western Europe, and can be dangerous if a swarm feels it is under attack as multiple stings have the potential to cause anaphylactic shock. They are a concern in apiculture as they will target honey bee species, and the Western Honey Bee has not evolved with it as a predator.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Vespidae
Genus: Vespa
SUBSPECIES: ?
 
- Sighting Locations -

FRANCE 
A widespread non-native species.
- PARIS 2026 TRIP: A single individual seen.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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