red-spotted plant bug
Lat. “Deraeocoris ruber“ species
of family
“Plant Bugs“ 1 species
The species Deraeocoris ruber is found throughout Europe, excluding certain regions. They inhabit forests, but are mainly found on sunny forest edges and open areas. These medium-sized bugs range in color from light brown or orange to black, with red cuneus. They have one generation per year and are predators, feeding on aphids and other insects. They can be found on various plants, especially nettles, and also on trees and conifers. These details were sourced from various publications.
Distribution and habitat
This species can be found anywhere in Europe, except for Azores, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Malta and parts of Russia and the Caucasus. It is also present in the Nearctic realm and in the Neotropical realm. These bugs inhabits forests, but occur mainly on sunny forest edges and open areas.
Description
Deraeocoris ruber is a medium-size species measuring 6–8 millimetres (0.24–0.31 in) long. Body is remarkably wide and glossy. Adults top (including scutellum) may appear in various color variants, ranging from light brown or orange to black in color, while the cuneus is always red. They have shiny forewings with an unbanded tibiae and the 1st antennal segment. The 1st segment of the antennae and at least the base of the 2nd segment are black.The nymph of Deraeocoris ruber is black coloured with a pinkish wide abdomen bearing black spines.
Biology
This species has one generation a year. Adults can be found from July to September. These bugs are almost completely predators and are also cannibalistic. They mainly feed on aphids and other small insects. They can be found on various plants, especially on nettles, but also on Rubus, Cytisus and Thistles. Trees are preferred to shrubs, including fruit trees, but they are also rarely found on conifers such as pine (Pinus), larches (Larix) and junipers.
Bibliography
Schwartz, Michael D., and G. G. E. Scudder (2000) Miridae (Heteroptera) new to Canada, with some taxonomic changes, Journal of the New York Entomological Society, vol. 108, no. 3-4
Henry, Thomas J., and Richard C. Froeschner, eds. (1988), Catalog of the Heteroptera, or True Bugs, of Canada and the Continental United States
Linnaeus, C., 1758: Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Editio Decima, Reformata. Tomus I. Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm. 824 pp. doi: 10.5962/bhl.title.542 BHL
