Fauna
Insect · GBIF taxon 5758736

Mottled Stink Bug

Rhaphigaster nebulosa

Also known as Mottled Shieldbug

Mottled stink bugs feed on sap from deciduous trees, shrubs, and ripening berries, occasionally supplementing their diet with dead insects. Adults are distinguished by a long spine projecting forward beneath the abdomen, black-and-white banded antennae, and a finely speckled grey-brown shield. In late autumn, they gather on sunlit walls and frequently wander into homes or sheds searching for dry crevices to survive the winter.

InvertebrateCamouflagedUrban Wildlife
Mottled Stink Bug reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Emanuele Santarelli, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Emanuele Santarelli · cc-by-sa
—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Tree sap
  • Fruit juices
  • Insect eggs
Predators
  • Insectivorous birds
  • Spiders
  • Parasitoid wasps
ThreatsBroad-spectrum insecticides and severe winter freezes
HabitatsDeciduous woodlands, hedgerows, parks, orchards, and gardens
Life spanUp to 1 year
Classification
  1. OrderHemiptera
  2. FamilyPentatomidae
  3. GenusRhaphigaster
  4. SpeciesRhaphigaster nebulosa
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Safe Relocation: Gently cup sheltering individuals with a glass and paper to escort them outdoors in autumn.
  • Underside Check: Look for a long forward-pointing spine beneath the body to confirm identification.
Related species
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