Heterotoma planicornis

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Description

Length 4.5-5.5 mm. The broad and flattened 2nd antennal segment, dark ground colour and contrasting greenish legs make this species unmistakeable.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

On various plants and trees, in particular nettles.

When to see it

Adult: July-October.

Life History

Both adults and the reddish nymphs feed on small insects as well as plant buds and unripe fruits. Eggs hatch in May, the nymphs becoming adult from June onwards.

UK Status

Abundant throughout most of Britain.

VC55 Status

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

  • Kate Nightingale
    Cropston garden
    29 July 2015
  • David Nicholls
    Ratby Village Pond
    09 July 2011
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote garden1
    27 July 2013
  • HAPeacock
    The Orchards
    22 July 2012
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    24 July 2013
  • Mark Skevington
    Whetstone Garden
    14 July 2012
    Nymph
  • David Gould
    The Spearwort Fields
    16 July 2017

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Species group:
Bugs
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hemiptera
Family:
Miridae
Records on NatureSpot:
170
First record:
14/07/2006 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
02/06/2025 (Pochin, Christine)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records

  • David Nicholls
    Martinshaw Wood
    17 July 2010
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote
    04 July 2009
  • David Nicholls
    Martinshaw Wood
    17 July 2010
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote garden1
    25 July 2011
  • David Nicholls
    Watermead Country Park
    14 July 2006
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote garden1
    04 July 2014
  • HAPeacock
    The Orchards
    22 July 2012
  • Lostash
    Whetstone GCR Footpath
    28 July 2013
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    15 July 2013
    nymph
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    15 July 2013
    nymph