Orthonotus rufifrons

Orthonotus rufifrons
Adult female of Orthonotus rufifrons
Dorsal view
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Family: Miridae
Genus: Orthonotus
Species: O. rufifrons
Binomial name
Orthonotus rufifrons
(Fallén, 1807

Orthonotus rufifrons is a species of plant bugs belonging to the family Miridae. [1]

Description

Orthonotus rufifrons can reach a length of 3.9–4.6 millimetres (0.15–0.18 in) in males, of 3.0–3.4 millimetres (0.12–0.13 in) in females. These plant bugs are rounded in shape, dark brown in color and covered with pale hairs. In the females the head is reddish (hence the Latin name rufifrons, meaning reddish forehead) and the 2nd antennal segment shows a dark ring at the base, while in males antennae are completely dark brown. The legs are bright reddish.

The sexes are dimorphic. Females are brachypterous and show short hemielytrae, while males look like a typical mirid bug. Infact they are fully winged (macropterous), with an elongated parallel-sided body. The nymphs are light red. [2]

Biology

Adults can be found from June to September. This species has one generation per year. Eggs overwinter and the nymphs usually occur in May. These bugs commonly live on stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). They feed on plant juices, as well as on small insects, especially aphids.

Distribution

This species is present in most of Europe. [3]

Habitat

Orthonotus rufifrons occurs especially in damp or in shady places in forests.

Bibliography

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/10/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.