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Phylus melanocephalus
Family: Miridae

 Phylus bugs are fairly long and slender and all are partly predatory. There are three species in the UK, which can be separated with some reliability by the colour of the head and forewngs. Hostplant is also a useful aid to identification.

P. melanocephalus is widespread throughout the UK on oak and more frequent than P. palliceps. The forewings vary from yellow to orange-red but the head is always dark brown or black.

Adult: June-August
Length 4.5-6 mm
 Phylus melanocephalus
Adult: Berks (June 2008) ©Jonathan Michaelson
Phylus melanocephalus Phylus melanocephalus
Adult: west London (May 2008) ©Julian Oliver

 		Adult: north Wales (June 2008) ©Tristan Bantock