British Bugs
HOME A BIT ABOUT BUGS GALLERY SYSTEMATIC LISTS RECORDING BUGS CONTACT US LINKS

Metopoplax ditomoides
Family: Lygaeidae

This small ground bug has a dark forebody and rather contrasting whitish forewings. The head, pronotum and scutellum are densely punctured and covered with short white hairs. The tip of the head (clypeus) is widened.
The thorax is bicoloured in the similar M. fuscinervis.

Historically a rare vagrant to Britain, this species has recently become established in parts of southern England and can be abundant in some years. Favours very warm and dry sparsely-vegetated habitats such as field margins, road verges and brownfield sites.

Adult: All year
Length 3.5-4.0 mm
Metopoplax ditomoides
Adult: Essex (July 2010) ©Tristan Bantock

Metopoplax ditomoides Metopoplax ditomoides
Adults: Essex (July 2010) ©Tristan Bantock

Nymph: Essex (September 2010) ©Tristan Bantock