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Syromastus rhombeus Rhombic Leatherbug
Family: Coreidae

 The only squashbug with such a broad and distinctly diamond-shaped abdomen. Nymphs have very pointed abdominal tergites, each bearing a strong spine.

Adults and nymphs are found in dry, open habitats feeding on campions, sandworts, spurreys and other plants in the Caryophyllaceae.

Local in southern England and south Wales, alhough many coastal in the west of its range.  

Adult: All year
Length 9.5-10.5 mm

see illustrated life stages chart		 Syromastus rhombeus
Adult: Surrey (April 2010) ©Tristan Bantock
Syromastus rhombeus Syromastus rhombeus
Adult: Suffolk (August 2007) ©Stuart Read

 Adult: Channel Isles (October 2007) ©Tim Ransom
Syromastus rhombeus Syromastus rhombeus
Adult: east London (April 2009) ©Tristan Bantock

 		Adult: east London (August 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
Syromastus rhombeus nymph Syromastus rhombeus nymph
Early instar nymph: west London (June 2009) ©Tristan Bantock

 		Late instar nymph: Essex (August 2010) ©Tristan Bantock