Graphosoma lineatum, the Minstrel Bug Family

The G. lineatum is spread through most of the central and northern Europe.

Found around meadows, edges of forests and gardens, as their preferred food plants include Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris, in the photos), Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Ground Elder (Aegopodium podagraria) and other umbellifer flowers.

The G. lineatum is extremely easily distinguished from any other Pentatomidae species found here in Finland and most other northern Europe Pentatomid species.

This is rather new species here in Finland, first found around the early 20003 and 2 weeks ago on Saturday I had the pleasure of finding my first 2 individuals.

Despite them being rather large (8-12mm / 0.31 -0.47in) and strikingly colored, I almost missed them completely when l was riding my bicycle next to the small meadow patch where I spotted these 2 mating. Actually had to hit the breaks and turn around and in the process almost managed to fall to a roadside ditch haha.

Even though the G. Iineatum being found also from gardens etc and feeding on plants that many might grow (anise, sunflowers, carrots), they are still not considered as pests and are actually delicious treats for many bird species.