Common flowerbug
Species of true bug From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The common flowerbug (Anthocoris nemorum) is a common minute pirate or flower bug.[1]
| Common flowerbug | |
|---|---|
| |
| Adult of Anthocoris nemorum | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Suborder: | Heteroptera |
| Family: | Anthocoridae |
| Genus: | Anthocoris |
| Species: | A. nemorum |
| Binomial name | |
| Anthocoris nemorum (Linnaeus, 1761) | |
Distribution
The common flowerbug is found across Europe and the Palearctic to China.[2][3] It is common in Great Britain and Ireland.[1] In the Alps it is found to about 2000 meters above sea level.
Habitat
It more commonly inhabits lower moist, shaded vegetation than trees,[4] and especially nettles in the later half of the growing season.[5]
Description
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Anthocoris nemorum is typically 3–4 mm in length. These bugs have soft elongated flat bodies, with reflective forewings and black pronotum. The legs are mostly orange-brown, with small dark patches close to the tips of the femora. The antennae are mainly orange, with dark tips. In particular, antennal segments I and IV are usually dark, while II and III are pale with dark apices. The front wing is shiny transparent with a distinctive black dot in the center. The membrane shows an hourglass-shaped characteristic black spot at the wing tip. Nymphs of Anthocoris nemorum are dark brown or reddish brown.[4][5]
Biology
Adults can be found all year.[6] They are predatory insects, feeding on small insects including aphids and red spider mites.[1] A. nemorum lays its eggs inside plant leaves.[7] It has been used as a biological pest control since 1992, primarily to control Cacopsylla pyri.[8] It is capable of biting humans.[9]
References
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