Plagiognathus arbustorum

Description

Length about 4 mm. Although the ground colour varies from pale olive-green to almost black, the head and front of the pronotum are usually dark, as are the 1st and 2nd antennal segments. The black line along the edge of the hind femur is absolutely distinctive and is present in late instar nymphs also. The spines on the hind tibiae are equal to or longer than the tibial width and generally arise from black spots. The pronotum and forewings are covered in dark hairs.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Found on a range of plants, particularly Nettles.

When to see it

Adult: July-October.

UK Status

This extremely common bug is found throughout Britain.

VC55 Status

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

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

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Bugs
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hemiptera
Family:
Miridae
Records on NatureSpot:
310
First record:
27/06/2009 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
20/08/2024 (Nicholls, David)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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