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Enoplops scapha Boat Bug
Family: Coreidae

A large and distinctive dark grey squashbug with cream markings on the connexivum. Early instar larvae have very spiny antennae and a green abdomen. Later instars are superficially similar to the much commoner Coreus marginatus but the abdominal tergites are more pointed.

A local species which is confined to coastal cliffs and sand dunes between Kent and north Wales, with outlying populations on the north Yorkshire coast. The foodplants are various Asteraceae.

Adult: All year
Length 11-12 mm

see illustrated life stages chart
Enoplops scapha
Adult: Dorset (April 2011) ©Tristan Bantock

Enoplops scapha Enoplops scapha
Adult: Dorset (April 2011) ©Tristan Bantock

Adult: Dorset (April 2011) ©Tristan Bantock

Enoplops scapha Enoplops scapha
Adult: Dorset (April 2011) ©Tristan Bantock

Adults: north Wales (March 2006) ©Jim Clark

Enoplops scapha nymph Enoplops scapha nymph
Early instar nymph: Cornwall (August 2008) ©Ashley Wood

Late instar nymph: Cornwall (August 2008) ©Ashley Wood