Pilophorus perplexus

Length 4.5 mm. Pilophorus species are rather active and ant-like bugs, which have silvery bands on the forewings formed by pale hairs. In both common species the posterior band is continuous across the forewings. However, P. perplexus has duller brown, sometimes blackish forewings and is associated with deciduous trees, particularly oak, whilst P. cinnamopterus  is rather more orange brown and is associated with Scots Pine.

Pilophorus cinnamopterus

On deciduous trees and shrubs.

Adult: July to October

In common with P. cinnamopterus it feeds on aphids.

This species is found widely across southern Britain.

Scarce in Leicestershire and Rutland.