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Photography with cameras
Nikon D3x, Nikon D300, Canon 50D
Image editing with Photoshop |
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| | | | Plagiognathus arbustorum | | Plagiognathus arbustorum (synonym: Lygaeus arbustorum) belong to the genus Plagiognathus, in the order Hemiptera and Rhynchota (true bugs, cicadas, hoppers, aphids and allies), the suborder true bugs (Heteroptera), the infraorder Cimicomorpha, the family capsid bugs (Miridae), the subfamily Phylinae and the tribe Phylini. Plagiognathus arbustorum are common and widespread in Europe, Asia and North America. They were introduced to the latter. It is among the most common species of true bugs in Central Europe. | | |
| | | | Adult female Plagiognathus arbustorum reach lengths of 3.7 - 4.3 mm, while males range from 3.8 - 4.6 mm. Their bodies are elongated and the males are slenderer than the females. Plagiognathus arbustorum vary in colour from light olive brown to almost black. The head, front of chest and first two antennae segments are usually dark. The head is small, shorter than it is wide and strongly inclined backwards. The chest has a bright posterior. The chest and front wings are covered with dark hairs. The legs are yellowish. A very useful identifying characteristic is the black, vertical lines on the thighs, which can also be found on the larvae. The lower part of the legs are covered with large, dark spots. | | |
| | | The membrane of the wing is dark brown with black brown veins. In addition to the triangular section of the front wing tip (cuneus), there is a brighter spot. Due to their appearance, Plagiognathus arbustorum may be confused with other species of the genus Plagiognathus. | | |
| | | Plagiognathus arbustorum occur in habitats with strong and varied vegetation, at altitudes of less than 2,000 metres. They prefer moderately dry to moist, shady or semi-shady habitats with nutrient-rich soils. Adults can be encountered from the beginning of June to October, mostly on herbaceous plants (especially nettles), where they suck juices from buds and flowers, or eat aphids or honeydew. | | |
| | | Plagiognathus arbustorum usually reproduce once a year. The fertilized females use their probosces to bore holes in the stems of the larvae’s food plants, where they then lay their eggs. The larvae are greenish with black markings. They appear in the spring and feed on plants just like the adults and are fully developed by June. They overwinter individually and appear again in March or April. | | |
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| | Description of images / photos
Photography with Cameras
Nikon D3x, Nikon D300, Canon 50D
Image editing with Photoshop | | 1. | Plagiognathus arbustorum | | 2. | Plagiognathus arbustorum |
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| Frequent Queries: | | lygaeus arbustorum (1) | | | | | | |
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