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Classification Order: Heteroptera Family: Berytidae
Home > Heteroptera >> Berytidae
Length 9 - 11 mm
Phenology Adult Throughout Year
Description This is a readily distinguished orange brown Stiltbug of woodland habitat It is principly found on the flowers of Enchatnters Nightshade Circaea lutetiana an indicator of ancient woodland . These small discrete bugs are often over looked and best found by sweeping the host vegetation. Metatropis rufescens feeds exclusively on Circaea (Circaea lutetiana), Circaea x intermedia and in the Alps Circaea alpina. They feed predominantly on the reproductive organs of the plant
Life Cycle
Adults perist over the winter reproducing early summer. A new generation is uusually completed by AugustThe females lay their eggs individually in June and July on the stems and leaves of Circaea. From August, sometimes also in July, the imagines of the new generation occur , and nymphs can be found until September.
Habitat Woodland
Image Courtesy Geoff Foale (C) 2017
