Liocoris tripustulatus explained

Liocoris tripustulatus or the common nettle bug is a species of plant bug belonging to the family Miridae, subfamily Mirinae. The species was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1781.^{[1] [2]}

Distribution

This species can be found in most of Europe.^{[3] [4] [5] [6]}

Habitat

These plant bugs are generally found on low vegetation.^[7]

Description

Adults are normally 4 to 5 mm long, darker brown with cream-coloured to yellow highlights. The scutellum shows a heart shaped marking, while in the wings there are two spots. Across the body is present a more or less visible clear band. This species is quite variable in colour. In springs the basic colour is darker, while the cuneus is bright orange-yellow. The new generation of adults is commonly paler and markings are less pronounced. Head width is about 1/2 of the width of the pronotum. Legs are pale yellowish, striped with black rings. Tibiae show short dark spines.^{[8] [9]}

Biology

Adults can be found all year. Following mating, females may survive until mid-summer, when the adults of the new generation appear.^[8] The primary food of these bugs in all stages of development is nettles.^[8]

Bibliography

• Hudec K., Kolibáč J., Laštůvka Z., Peňáz M. a kol. (2007): Příroda České republiky: průvodce faunou, Academia
• Kerzhner I. M.; Josifov M. (1999). "Family Miridae". In Aukema, Berend; Rieger, Christian. Catalogue of the Heteroptera of the Palaearctic Region. 3, Cimicomorpha II. Amsterdam: Netherlands Entomological Society. pp. 1–577, pages 108 & 109. .
• Kment P. (2013) - Preliminary check-list of the Heteroptera of Czech Republic
• Schwartz, Michael D. & Foottit, Robert G. (1998). Revision of the Nearctic species of the genus Lygus Hahn, with a review of the Palearctic species (Heteroptera: Miridae). Memoirs of Entomology International number 10. Gainesville, Florida: Associated Publishers. .

External links

• Biodiversidad Virtual
• Nature Spot

Notes and References

1. https://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id72670/ BioLib
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?lin=s&p=has_linkout&id=455298 NCBI
3. Book: Kerzhner I. M. . Josifov M. . 1999. Family Miridae. Aukema, Berend . Rieger, Christian . Catalogue of the Heteroptera of the Palaearctic Region. 3, Cimicomorpha II. Amsterdam. Netherlands Entomological Society. 1 - 577, pages 108 & 109. 978-90-71912-19-1.
4. Book: Schwartz, Michael D. . Foottit, Robert G. . amp. 1998 . Revision of the Nearctic species of the genus Lygus Hahn, with a review of the Palearctic species (Heteroptera: Miridae). Memoirs of Entomology International number 10. Gainesville, Florida. Associated Publishers. 978-1-56665-066-3.
5. https://web.archive.org/web/20110629092857/http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=221446 Fauna Europaea
6. https://www.gbif.org/species/5759055 GBIF
7. http://www.eakringbirds.com/eakringbirds4/insectinfocusliocoristripustulatus.htm Eakringbirds
8. http://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Miridae/liocoris_tripustulatus.html British Bugs
9. http://www.ukwildlife.net/heteroptera/miridae/liocoris_tripustulatus.html UK Wildlife