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Syromastus rhombeus
Family: Coreidae

 The only squashbug with such a broad and distinctly diamond-shaped abdomen. Nymphs have very pointed abdominal tergites, each bearing a strong spine.

Adults emerge and mate in the spring; larvae can be found June-August feeding on spurreys, sandworts and other plants in the Caryophyllaceae. A local species which is mainly confined to coastal areas between Suffolk and south Wales (although increasingly found inland) favouring dry habitats such as heathland, grassland, sand and chalk pits.

Adult: All year
Length 9.5-10.5 mm

see illustrated life stages chart		 Syromastus rhombeus
Adult: Channel Isles (October 2007) ©Tim Ransom
Syromastus rhombeus Syromastus rhombeus
Adult: Suffolk (August 2007) ©Stuart Read

 Adult: Suffolk (April 2007) ©Margaret Holland
Syromastus rhombeus Syromastus rhombeus
Adult: east London (April 2009) ©Tristan Bantock
 Adult: east London (August 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
Syromastus rhombeus nymph Syromastus rhombeus nymph
Early instar nymph: Suffolk ©Roger Key

 Nymph: Suffolk ©Roger Key
Syromastus rhombeus nymph
Late instar nymph: Cornwall (August 2008) ©Ashley Wood