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

Sciocoris cursitans Sand-runner Shieldbug
Family: Pentatomidae

 Sciocoris is a very difficult genus and three similar species are now found in Britain. The genus is characterised by the strongly transverse (wider than long) pronotum, laterally expanded connexivum and very rounded head.

S. cursitans is a smaller species best confirmed by the dark U-shaped marking on the underside of the abdomen (below right).

Strongly ground-dwelling and often associated with Mouse-ear Hawkweed in sandy areas, brownfield sites and warm, sheltered slopes on calcareous grassland. Scarce and locally distributed in southern England.

Compare S. homalonotus, S. sideritidis
Adult: All year
Length 4.5-6.0 mm

see illustrated life stages chart		 Sciocoris cursitans
Adult: Surrey (May 2010) ©Tristan Bantock
Sciocoris cursitans Sciocoris cursitans
Adult: Essex (June 2010) ©Tristan Bantock

 		Adult: Surrey (May 2010) ©Tristan Bantock
Sciocoris cursitans Sciocoris cursitans
Adult: Kent (August 2010) ©Tristan Bantock

 		Adult underside: Jersey (May 2017) ©Simon Robson
Sciocoris cursitans Sciocoris cursitans
Late instar nymph: Kent (August 2010) ©Tristan Bantock

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