Tobacco Caterpillar Braconid vs Green Shield Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tobacco Caterpillar Braconid | Green Shield Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Microplitis demolitor | Palomena prasina prasina |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Braconidae | Pentatomidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 12-14mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | North America, South America, Australia | Europe |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Tobacco Caterpillar Braconid
A small endoparasitoid wasp that injects polydnavirus along with its eggs into caterpillar hosts. It is an important natural enemy of soybean looper and corn earworm.
Did You Know?
It injects a symbiotic virus along with its eggs that suppresses the caterpillar's immune system.
Green Shield Bug
A common bright green shield-shaped bug that turns bronze-brown before hibernation. A distinctive spring and autumn insect.
Did You Know?
The color change from green to bronze is triggered by day length shortening in autumn, not temperature.