Heather Shieldbug Rhacognathus punctatus

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Family Pentatomatidae

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Length 7.0-9.0 mm

Description Dark shieldbug appearing mottled metallic bronze-brown over pale orange/reddish base . The legs are banded pale to orange/red there is a visible a pale midline on the pronotum. One of 4 or so Shieldbugs which are predatory feeding mainly on larvae of the Heather Beetle Lochmaea suturalis. The new generation is complete by August.

Habitat Mainly confined to moorland and heathland, occasionally recorded from dune slacks and commons where Calluna is not present It is widely distributed but sparse in number

IMAGE ABOVE WITH PERMISSION (C) ASHLEY WOOD

IMAGE COURTEST OF STEVE GILL(C)