Mirid(?) for Id please

loripo · #1 (**permalink**) 14-06-2010, 08:52 AM

I thought at first this was a speckled bush cricket because of the speckled legs, then realised it was a bug. Very green below and soft muted colours on the wing cases. Has been around for a few days on a patch of hebe so I'm hoping for a better photo.

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 14-06-2010, 11:20 AM

Afternoon Lori,

You and Battersea Park have done it again! Don't tell me... was this found on or near a Hypericum? See this thread: Bugs to look out for on ornamental Hypericum

Well done

Take care,

Jason

loripo · #3 (**permalink**) 14-06-2010, 01:01 PM

Not in the park, just outside my flats. There aren't any hypericum there, but some within a few minutes walk. Took a few more photos today (still not that good

) but there are more darker ones now...

What do you think?

Acutipuerilis · #4 (**permalink**) 14-06-2010, 08:23 PM

Woohoo! I think it is indeed Closterotomus trivialis... and Tristan is going to be very interested!

Were there any peonies there? The nymphs appear to be found on those rather than the Hypericum. Of course, it might just have decided it likes everything since moving over to the UK...

loripo · #5 (**permalink**) 14-06-2010, 08:28 PM

I had another look about 2.30 and there were 6. Mostly the darker colouring. No peonies nearby, but they seem very happy on the hebe & convolvulus. I did check around on some hypericums and hebe but could only see them on this particular area of shrubs. Will keep on looking

(They are about 7 to 8 mm long)

tristanba · #6 (**permalink**) 14-06-2010, 11:18 PM

Brilliant - this is certainly C. trivialis! I knew there had to be other populations in the London area at least. So it seems as if this bug is using a range of hostplants in addition to Hypericum. Interestingly, the person who originally discovered C. trivialis in north London last year is now seeing them on lots of different plant species in his garden.

I think all your images show males - females are slightly more oval and generally show more green colouration on the wings. This species is unusual in that the cuneus is rather greenish on emergence but becomes redder with time (compare your 2nd and 3rd images below).

Would you mind keeping an eye out for more in the general area and making a note of what plants they are associating with? Interestingly, the populations in north London seem to be localised to a few streets. It's certainly worth checking any Hypericum in the area as the bugs are so easily seen when resting on the flowers.

Well done and thanks for posting!

Tristan

loripo · #7 (**permalink**) 15-06-2010, 05:05 PM

There must be lot about I should think. The above are in a small patch of municipal planting at the end of a carpark. The grass and trees are kept tidy but any shrubs are self maintaining, which as you said provides a suitable area to overwinter.
Saw just two today in the same place, both tucked inside roses.

So will now hunt further afield and see if any more are about.

tristanba · #8 (**permalink**) 15-06-2010, 07:34 PM

Many thanks! By the way, the Het News article about this bug has just been published and can be downloaded here:

http://www.hetnews.org.uk/pdfs/Issue...2010_862kb.pdf

Jason Green · #9 (**permalink**) 15-06-2010, 07:45 PM

Thanks Tristan, very interesting. Out of interest, have any trivialis in London been put under the microscope?

tristanba · #10 (**permalink**) 15-06-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Thanks Tristan, very interesting. Out of interest, have any trivialis in London been put under the microscope?

You mean has a male been dissected? I couldn't find any genital figures to compare in the literature so have not done this. I did collect some specimens for reference and some have also gone to the NHM.