Small World Discoveries

HEMIPTERA > HETEROPTERA > CIMICOMORPHA > Miridae > Mirini

This is the third and final set for species I've managed to photograph, which are members of the Mirini tribe. Coincidently, they all seem to have universally accepted common names, which I've simply referred to in square brackets rather than by repetitive comments.

Pantilius tunicatus [Hazel Bug] is described as a reasonably common and widespread species across southern Britain yet, at the time of writing, there are very few confirmed records from Dorset. It can be found on the lower branches of hazel, alder or birch. It is a large bug with a body length of around 8-10mm. The colour and extent of red markings is variable with newly emerged adults often being entirely green. The Hazel Bug is a late season species that typically won't be seen until September and probably not much beyond the end of October.

Rhabdomiris striatellus [Striped Oak Bug] is a particularly attractive, well-marked, woodland species that is primarily associated with oaks. It has a yellow pronotum with black markings, dark forewings with yellow stripes and yellow cuneus with a black tip. It is only likely to be confused with the larger and more elongate Miris striatus, which has a completely yellow to orange-red coloured cuneus without the black tip and an entirely dark head. Adults may be seen from early May to the end of July.

The eight Phytocoris species featured on the 'British Bugs' website have a distinctive appearance due to the long hind femora and long 1st antennal segment. Phytocoris varipes [Long-legged Plant Bug] varies from pale pinkish-brown to red-brown with slightly darker longitudinal markings. It is very similar to Phytocoris insignis but, despite the poor quality of my photos, can be safely separated as P.insignis is a very scarce species confined to southern heathlands. Typical habitat for Phytocoris varipes is rough grassland where it feeds on various plants, and that's exactly the type of habitat where this one was found at Alners Gorse.

The common, small 5-6mm long, Capsus ater [Black Plant Bug] can be found in grassland habitats throughout the UK but, unlike most capsid bugs, feeding low on the grass stems rather on the heads or developing grains. It has a rather oval appearance with the head and pronotum varying in colour from rusty brown to black. Adults may be seen from June to September.

New page added, Feb.25 (v.1)