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Platycranus bicolor
Family: Miridae

Although similar to other green mirids (eg Orthotylus sp), this bug is the only one to occur on gorse in late summer.

The upper surface is covered in scale-like pale hairs and the clavus is darkened in males. The vertex is relatively wide in relation to the eye width.

Found widely on gorse Ulex in southern Britain and may be abundant where it occurs.

Adult: August-September
Length c4 mm
 Platycranus bicolor
Adult male: Dorset (August 2009) ©Mark Dunkling
Platycranus bicolor Platycranus bicolor
Adult female: north London (August 2009) ©Tristan Bantock

 Adult male: north London (August 2009) ©Tristan Bantock
Platycranus bicolor
Nymph: north London (August 2009) ©Tristan Bantock