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

Liocoris tripustulatus
Family: Miridae

 Common throughout the UK and associated mainly with Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica, the host plant, this is a variable but distinctive species. The colour of the scutellum and cuneus ranges from cream to deep yellow and the pale legs are striped with black rings. Short dark spines are present on the tibiae. Head width ≈ 1/2 pronotum width, length of 2nd antennal segment > head width.

This bug may be found as an adult all year, and variation in colour is strongly related to age. On spring emergence following hibernation, the ground colour is typically darker and the cuneus more orange-yellow. Following mating, females may survive until the new generation of adults appears in mid-summer, which is generally paler and less intensely marked.

Compare: Orthops species
Adult: All year
Length 4-5 mm
 Liocoris tripustulatus
Adult: west London (May 2007) ©Julian Oliver
Liocoris tripustulatus Liocoris tripustulatus
Adult: west London (May 2008) ©Tristan Bantock

 Adult: Sussex (July 2006) ©Brian Valentine
Liocoris tripustulatus Liocoris tripustulatus
Adult: north London (July 2008) ©Tristan Bantock

 Adult: Lincoln (October 2007) ©Mick Talbot
Liocoris tripustulatus Liocoris tripustulatus
Adult: Lincoln (October 2007) ©Mick Talbot

 Adult: (November 2007) ©Peter Birch
Liocoris tripustulatus nymph Liocoris tripustulatus
Nymph: Berks (July 2008) ©Jonathan Michaelson

 Nymph and adult: Surrey (June 2007) ©Ashley Wood