Common flowerbug

Common flowerbug
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Family: Anthocoridae
Genus: Anthocoris
Species: A. nemorum
Binomial name
Anthocoris nemorum
(Linnaeus, 1761)
Anthocoris nemorum with prey

The common flowerbug, Anthocoris nemorum, is a common minute pirate or flower bug.[1]

It is a predatory insect, feeding on small insects including greenflys and red spider mites.[1] It is typically 3–4 mm in length, with reflective forewings and black pronotum. The legs are mostly orange-brown. It more commonly inhabits lower vegetation than trees,[2] and especially nettles in the later half of the growing season. A. nemorum lays its eggs inside plant leaves.[3]

The common flowerbug is found across Europe and northern Asia (except China).[4] It is common in Great Britain and Ireland.[1]

It has been used as a biological pest control since 1992, primarily to control Cacopsylla pyri.[5] It is capable of biting humans.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 N Arlott; R Fitter; A Fitter (1994). Collins Complete Guide to British Wildlife. Collins. p. 224. ISBN 0-00-219212-8.
  2. ↑ Joseph Botting. "(Cimicidae) Anthocoris nemorum". British Bugs. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  3. ↑ Stenberg, Johan A.; Lehrman, Anna; Björkman, Christer (2011). "Host-plant genotype mediates supply and demand of animal food in an omnivorous insect". Ecological Entomology. 36 (4): 442–449. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2311.2011.01285.x.
  4. ↑ Myers Enterprises II 2009 - 2011. "Anthocoris nemorum (Common Flower Bug)". Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  5. ↑ EPPO / OEPP (2008). "Biocontrol agents: Hemiptera/Heteroptera". EPPO/OEPP.
  6. ↑ DA Burns (2010). Rook's Textbook of Dermatology, Volume 1, Eighth Edition (PDF). John Wiley and Sons. p. 38.23. ISBN 1405161698.
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