Phytocoris varipes explained

Phytocoris varipes is a species of plant bugs belonging to the family Miridae, subfamily Mirinae.

Description

The species is pinkish-brown to red-brown in colour. and have longitudinal markings on its upper surface.[1]

Distribution

Europe but it is mainly absent from Andorra, Azores, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Madeira, Malta, Poland, and central and southern part of Russia.[2] then east to the Caucasus and Iran.It is present in the U.S.A. (Oregon) as an adventive species.

Biology

Adults and nymphs live on various herbaceous plants and grasses and suck especially on the flowers and immature fruits. They are zoophytophagous, possibly predominantly phytophagous. Potential host plants include various daisy family (Asteraceae) such as Achillea, Centaurea, Matricaria and Artemisia, legumes (Fabaceae) such as Trifolium, Ononis, Lathyrus, Cytisus scoparius and also Rumex from the family Polygonaceae, Galium (Rubiaceae) (Poaceae) including Phleum and Bromus . Oviposition has so far been observed on the stems of Achillea millefolium . The adult bugs occur from the beginning of June. Mating and oviposition occurs in July and August, and the imagines die in the course of October.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Phytocoris varipes. British Bugs. June 29, 2013.
  2. Web site: Phytocoris (Ktenocoris) varipes Boheman, 1852. https://web.archive.org/web/20131014173136/http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=452021. dead. October 14, 2013. Fauna Europaea. 2.6.2. August 29, 2013. October 13, 2013.