The box bug (Gonocerus acuteangulatus) is a 11 to 14 mm long reddish-brown squash bug found across the Mediterranean, Europe, and parts of Asia. It feeds on plant juices from shrubs and tree fruits, and can act as a pest on crops like hazelnuts.
Appearance and ID
Adults: Speckled reddish-brown with a narrow body and sharp, pointed shoulder edges on the thorax.
Nymphs: Bright green abdomens that may turn dull red later in the year.
Similar species: Looks like the dock bug, but has a slimmer body and sharper points on the sides.
Habitat and Diet
Warm areas: Prefers dry, sunny spots, hedges, and forest edges.Host plants: Lives on box trees, hawthorn, buckthorn, and various berry shrubs.
Pest potential: Can damage hazelnuts and pistachios by causing kernel loss or deformities.
