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Deraeocoris olivaceus
Family: Miridae

A large brick-red plant bug found on Hawthorn. Be sure to rule out females of the superfically similar and much more common D. flavilinea which is smaller, much more orange in colour and lacks long hairs on the sides of the pronotum.

D. olivaceus was first recorded in 1951, when it was found  at a site in Surrey. It is unclear whether it had been overlooked prior to this, or was a genuinely recent arrival. It has since become more widespread but remains scarce with a patchy distribution across southern England. The bug has a strong preference for mature heavily-fruiting hawthorns growing in open situations.

Adult: June-July
Length 8.5-10.5 mm
 Deraeocoris olivaceus
Adult: Surrey (June 2009) ©Tristan Bantock
Deraeocoris olivaceus Deraeocoris olivaceus
Adult: Surrey (June 2009) ©Tristan Bantock

 Nymph: Surrey (June 2009) ©Tristan Bantock