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| | | Rhopalus subrufus | | Rhopalus subrufus belong to the genus Rhopalus, in the order Hemiptera and Rhynchota (true bugs, cicadas, hoppers, aphids and allies), the suborder true/typical bugs (Heteroptera), the infraorder Pentatomorpha, the superfamily Coreoidea, the family Rhopalidae, the subfamily Rhopalinae and the tribe Rhopalini. Rhopalus subrufus are widespread and relatively common in Europe, America and Asia (south of the Arctic Circle) and also occur in Africa southwards to the tropics. This species is not endangered. | | |
| | | Rhopalus subrufus reach body lengths of 7-8.5 mm. Their reddish-brown bodies are elongated and widen at the hind end. The reddish-brown to yellowish-brown head is much wider than it is long and bears the large compound eyes and easily recognizable simple eyes. The threadlike antennae are about 4 mm long, yellowish-brown in colour and have club-thicked outer limbs. The mandibles are strongly developed. In the area of the mouth opening there are 2 tube-like appendages, which are used to eat. | | |
| | | The reddish-yellow to reddish-brown pronotum has a faint white line in the centre, which is also sometimes absent. The colour of the scutellum is similar to that of the pronotum but is brighter at the end. The end is split in two. The abdomen is oval, has markings in black and ochre and is partially covered by the wings. The penultimate (6th) segment of the abdomen has a black upper surface with five, bright irregular spots. The edges of the abdomen have a yellowish-brown and black pattern. The wingspan is about 14 mm. The front section of the wing is leathery and has a fine, dense stippling, while the rear section has a glass-like shine with numerous veins. The legs are brown to yellowish-brown in colour with brown spots. | | |
| | | Rhopalus subrufus are diurnal and active from April (or June on and prefer habitats like forest edges, clearings, uncut lawns, meadows, roadsides and banks of water where they particularly favour grass and geranium plants. Their life span is 6-8 months. | | |
| | | Their preferred food plants are: St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), Geranium robertianum and Clinopodium vulgare in addition to various other herbaceous plants. They feed on plant juices or juice from seeds and fruits. | | |
| | | By spring or early summer, Rhopalus subrufus have reached sexual maturity and mate. The fertilized females lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves of the preferred food plants of the larvae. The larvae feed on these leaves for about 4 to 5 weeks after hatching (usually in the month of August);later they feed on the fruit. Theygo through 5 stages of development up to autumn time. Rhopalus subrufus overwinter in frost free places in the soil or under leaves. | | |
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| | | Description of images / photos | | 1. | Rhopalus subrufus |
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