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Brown shield bug - Dictyotus caenosus (Westwood, 1837)

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(Present in New Zealand, introduced)
[Dictyotus caenosus]. SIZE: 8-11 mm. COLOUR: Yellowish brown, rusty brown or pure brown, with alternate dark and pale markings on sides of abdomen. © MWLR | CC BY-NC 4.0 Image
Dictyotus caenosus. SIZE: 8-11 mm. COLOUR: Yellowish brown, rusty brown or pure brown, with alternate dark and pale markings on sides of abdomen. © MWLR | CC BY-NC 4.0
JUGA (lateral lobes of head) much longer than tylus (middle lobe), nearly or fully enclosing it in front. © MWLR | CC BY-NC 4.0 Image
JUGA (lateral lobes of head) much longer than tylus (middle lobe), nearly or fully enclosing it in front. © MWLR | CC BY-NC 4.0
[Dictyotus caenosus]. ANTENNAE: Segment 2 much longer than segment 3. PRONOTUM (dorsal plate of fore thorax): Fore corners not extended in front on each side of head. © MWLR | CC BY-NC 4.0 Image
Dictyotus caenosus. ANTENNAE: Segment 2 much longer than segment 3. PRONOTUM (dorsal plate of fore thorax): Fore corners not extended in front on each side of head. © MWLR | CC BY-NC 4.0

NYMPH: Main diagnostic characters

Immature stink bugs or nymphs moult through five stages (instars) before becoming adults; the fifth stage or last instar nymph is shown below.

[Dictyotus caenosus] last instar nymph. Image: Phil Bendle | CitScihub Image
Dictyotus caenosus last instar nymph. Image: Phil Bendle | CitScihub

BODY LENGTH: About 7.5 mm. COLOUR: Brown with smooth yelowish white outline on thorax and wing pads; abdomen yellowish white with reddish and/or brown points and brown markings (often crescent- shaped) along sides; antennae mostly brown to black (segments 1-2 often paler than 3-4).