Jewel Bug (Poecilocoris splendidulus) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The Jewel Bug (Poecilocoris splendidulus) is an East Asian insect with a metallic green back and broad crimson bands whose colors shift with the viewing angle. It occurs in China, Korea, and Japan, with no documented native or established wild population in the United States.

Appearance

Appearance: Adults are about 0.67–0.79 in (17–20 mm) long. The glossy green back carries broad crimson or purplish-red bands whose color shifts with the viewing angle.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: East Asian mountain forests
broadleaf trees
Range: It occurs in China, Korea, and Japan. No native or established U.S. range has been documented.
Preferred conditions: In Korea, it lives around broadleaf trees.

Behavior

Diet: In Korea, it drinks plant juices from stems and fruit.
Activity: s overwinter under bark or leaf litter and begin becoming adults in late May in Korea.
Overwintering: In Korea, nymphs overwinter under bark or fallen leaves.

Life cycle

Caterpillar food plants: It has been found on broadleaf trees including oaks in Korea; in Japan, nymphs feed on boxwood.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

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