Description:
From a photo, the Birch Shield Bug (Elasmostethus interstinctus) cannot be distinguished from the very similar Elasmostethus minor, which is very rare and only found in the southern part of The Netherlands and only on Fly Honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum) with which it feeds itselves.
Unlike Elasmostethus interstinctus, the underside of Elasmostethus minor's hind body doesn't show two corners that point out.
The Birch Shieldbug also looks very simialr to the Hawthorn Shield Bug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale).
However, the triangel on the back of the Hawthorn Shield Bugis is green whereas the triangel of the Birch Shieldbug has more colours, sometimes with yellow or even orange or red.
1st, 2nd & 3rd photo: In my yard, Hilversum, The Netherlands, 21 April 2019
4th photo: Putten, The Netherlands, 29 July 2014