Glaucias subpunctatus
Once confined to natural cedar and cypress forests, this stink bug's numbers surged as Japan planted conifers nationwide, and it began piercing orchard fruit instead.
| Where | Forests and orchards across East Asia |
|---|---|
| Size | 14 to 17 mm body length |
| When | January to December |
This shield bug is 14 to 17 millimetres long with a glossy green body and a metallic sheen across the back. Its shape follows the typical outline of the stink bug family, and it feeds by piercing plant tissue with needle-like mouthparts.
It originally fed on the cones of cedar and cypress in forests, but as these trees were planted widely for timber its numbers grew, and it now also pierces the fruit of persimmon, citrus, and peach trees in orchards. Its eggs are parasitized by a small wasp used in biological control across Japan and neighboring parts of East Asia.
Traits
Habitat
Woodland
Colour
Green, Metallic
Active
Day
To people
Considered an orchard pest but harmless to people; does not sting or bite.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Mottled brown and grey rather than glossy green, and it is often found alongside this species piercing the same orchard fruit.
Questions
Is Glaucias subpunctatus dangerous to people?
Considered an orchard pest but harmless to people; does not sting or bite.
When can you see Glaucias subpunctatus?
Glaucias subpunctatus can be seen from January to December, by day.
Plate retouched from a photo by りなべる, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist Licence
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True bugs›Shield bugs›Glaucias
Last updated 2026-09-27. Every entry is checked against published sources.