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Drymus pumilio
Family: Lygaeidae

Drymus is one of several lygaeid genera in which the front femur has one larger tooth and several small ones; it is rather a difficult genus to identify. D. brunneus and D. sylvaticus are by far the most common species.

D. pumlio is the smallest species and the tibiae lack long outstanding hairs. In the field its small size means it is more likely to be confused with Stygnocoris fuligineus than other Drymus species.

Older reports of this species stress an association with chalk grassland, but interestingly many of the more recent records are from wet grasslands and fens.

A scarce species found locally across southern and central England and parts of south Wales.

Compare: D. sylvaticus, D. brunneus

Adult: All year
Length 2.5-3 mm
Drymus pumilio
Adult: Northants (September 2017) ©Tristan Bantock