[4] One of the most well-known species in Acanthosomatidae is the hawthorn shield bug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale), which is found throughout Europe and also northern Siberia; this species is typically green or brown in color and has a distinctive shape with two projections on its thorax.

It feeds on a variety of plants, including hawthorn, rowan, and cherry.

In females, one or two pairs of Pendergrast's organs are present in the abdomen (sometimes absent, e.g. Elasmucha[4]) and sternite VII has an emarginate posterior margin.

Various sources distinguish them based on the number of tarsal segments being 2 in acanthosomatids and 3 in pentatomids.

Host plants include Ficus, Hakea, Carex, Juncus, Cladium and Dactylis.