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Atractotomus mali
Family: Miridae

 This genus comprises three small black or dark red-brown bugs in which the upper surface is covered in flattened golden or silver hairs. The 2nd antennal segment is often strongly thickened.

In A. mali the 1st antennal segment is almost triangular and much thinner at the base, while the 2nd segment is much thickened in both sexes, particularly so in females. The body shape is rather oval and convex. The larvae are red, with the fore-parts darker.

Common across much of southern Britain on apple and hawthorn, the principal foodplants, although this species is also partly predatory.

Compare: A. magnicornis, A. parvulus

Adult: June-August
Length ~3.5 mm

 Atractotomus mali
Adult: north London (June 2007) ©Tristan Bantock
Atractotomus mali Atractotomus mali
Adult: Herts (June 2009) ©Tristan Bantock

 Adult: north London (June 2009) ©Tristan Bantock
Atractotomus mali Atractotomus mali nymph
Adult: south London (June 2007) ©Joe Botting

 Nymph: Surrey (June 2008) ©Ashley Wood