What most of us call Stink bugs and Shield bugs are part of a large group of insects that are all part of the Order Hemiptera and are called True bugs. The Order is made up of Stink Bugs, Shield Bugs, Squash Bugs, Seed Bugs, Plant Bugs, Bed Bugs, Pond Skaters, Cicadas, Water Bugs, Aphids and Scale Insects.  

For people in France it’s useful to know that in French the word Punaise is applied to most of them with the exception of Cicadas, Aphids and Scale insects. For example the Green Shield bug (Palomena prasina) which is called la punaise verte.

The distinguishing feature despite their great range of differences is that they all have piercing mouthparts with which they can suck the juices from plants, seeds or animals - usually plants. These mouthparts are contained in a beak (or rostrum) which is usually held underneath the body when not in use.

A small selection of species people are likely come across

Mottled Shield Bug, Rhaphigaster nebulosa, La punaise nébuleuse or punaise grise.

Mottled Shield Bug is a relatively common species in France associated with hedgerows, woodlands and scrub which they feed on as well as dead insects. Breeding takes place principally in May with one generation a year and the various instars share the same habitat as the adults. They overwinter in as adults in sheltered areas, under vegetation, in cracks in walls or under tree bark and are one of the species that are sometimes to be found in houses. They are also one of the species that can emit an unpleasant smell when disturbed.

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 Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug,  Aelia acuminata, Various common French names:  Punaise des blés, Punaise nez-de-rat or Punaise à tête allongée

The Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug is a species that can be found in most parts of France that is associated with tall dry grasslands and as one of the the French names indicates cereal fields. They principally feed on the juices  of the seed heads and overwinter undercover of vegetation. They would be unusual to find in houses. There is one generation a year with breeding in April, May, June.

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Southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula, Punaise verte ponctuée

The Southern Green Shield bug originated in Africa but has been spread to countries all over the world including France. It has one generation a year with breeding taking place in May or thereabouts. It favours the plants and fruits of Aubergines, Tomatoes, Beans, cucumbers, melons etc as well as some native plants. In most parts of France now but prefers warmer regions. They change colour to brown before over wintering as adults in sheltered places, sometimes in houses and they can emit a smell when disturbed which some people dislike

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Common Green Shieldbug, Palomena prasina, La Punaise Verte

The Common Green Shieldbug is widespread throughout France. There is one generation per year with breeding taking place in May or thereabouts. They feed on many species of deciduous trees and shrubs including fruit trees but rarely cause serious harm. They change colour to brown before over wintering in sheltered places including homes and they can emit a smell when disturbed which some people dislike

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Sloe or Hairy Shieldbug, Dolycoris baccarum,  La punaise des baies ou pentatome des baies

The Sloe bug is found in all regions of France on hedgerows, woodland edges and open scrub. Feeds on the fruits and seeds of a variety of plants but strangely not Sloe despite its common name however they are hairy. One generation per year with breeding taking place in May or thereabouts and spends winter in sheltered places as adults. Occasionally may enter houses.

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Eurygaster austriaca

Eurygaster austriaca is in decline in many places in France presumably due to habitat loss. It is a shieldbug of dry meadows, scrublands, heaths, wastelands  as long as there are grasses of more than one meter where they feed on seed heads. They have a preference for warmer regions and are not found at altitudes over 1,400 metres. There is one generation a year and breeding takes place in June. They overwinter as adults. They have no known common English or French names.

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Gorse Shieldbug, Piezodorus lituratus, Punaise des genêts

The Gorse Shieldbug is to be found throughout France where it is found mainly on gorse and broom but it also feeds on other plants such as tomatoes, peppers, aubergines and beans. The first pre winter stage of the adult form has reddish markings but they return to green the following spring when a single brood is produced in May.

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Rhynocoris (Rhynocoris) annulatus "La Réduve annelée, Le Rhynocoris annelé"

There doesn't appear to be a common English name for this species of Assassin Bug that can be found in many regions of France, although it is more abundant in the south. As can be seen in the photo it is active during the day and preys on other insects that it catches. The eggs are deposited in isolation, or in small groups in summer and they spend winter as juveniles. Can give a painful bite if roughly handled but does not enter houses other than accidentally. 

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Brassica Shieldbug, Eurydema oleraceum, Punaise du chou

The Brassica shieldbug can be found throughout France. They overwinter as adults emerging in early spring. The food plants are various crucifers, often in the flowering stage and are often to be found on mustards and garlic mustard. Does not enter houses and is rarely a pest. This species can have either white, yellow or red markings

More can be found HERE

Masked Hunter Assassin Bug  HERE

Gendarmes, (Fire bug), HERE