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Legnotus limbosus
Family: Cydnidae

 A small black shieldbug with a pale edge to the corium which almost reaches the wing membrane. The much rarer L. picipes is similar, although only the basal edge of the corium is pale and the central lobe of the head is the same length as the outer two (clearly shorter in L. limbosus).

Associated with bedstraws (Galium sp) growing on dry friable soils in sunny situations, frequently burrowing into loose soil at the base of the foodplant.

Widespread in southern Britain, becoming scarcer further north and absent from Scotland and Ireland.
Adult: All year
Length 3.5-4.5 mm

see illustrated life stages chart
 		Legnotus limbosus
Adult: north London (May 2009) ©Tristan Bantock
Legnotus limbosus Legnotus limbosus
Adult: Kent (August 2010) ©Tristan Bantock

 Adult: Kent (August 2010) ©Tristan Bantock
Legnotus limbosus Legnotus limbosus
Adult: Lincs (April 2009) ©Michael Talbot

 Adult: Lincs (April 2009) ©Michael Talbot