Coptosoma scutellatum

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coptosoma scutellatum
Coptosoma scutellatum

Coptosoma scutellatum

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Schnabelkerfe (Hemiptera)
Subordination : Bed bugs (heteroptera)
Family : Ball bugs (Plataspididae)
Genre : Coptosoma
Type : Coptosoma scutellatum
Scientific name
Coptosoma scutellatum
( Geoffroy , 1785)
Video of Coptosoma scutellatum on Esparsette ( Onobrychis )
preparation

Coptosoma scutellatum is a species of bug from the family of ball bugs (Plataspididae). She is the only kind of her family in Central Europe.

features

The bugs are 3.7 to 4.6 millimeters long. Their spherical body is glossy black in color, often with a green, blue or bronze-colored sheen. The lateral edges of the abdomen are colored yellow, there is also a yellow spot in front of each stigma .

distribution and habitat

The species is distributed in southern Europe and Asia from North Africa to China, Korea and Japan. In Europe, it is absent in the British Isles and in the north. In Germany, it is found mainly in the south and east, but also in isolated cases up to the northern edge of the low mountain range and in Brandenburg. In the Alps, it is mainly found in the valleys, but can be found up to 1000 meters above sea level if the conditions are good. The warmth-loving species colonizes dry and warm habitats. In the south of Europe, the species is often found on limestone and clay soils, and further north on sandy soils.

Way of life

Coptosoma scutellatum feeds on legumes (Fabaceae). In southern Germany they preferred Crown Vetch ( Coronilla varia ), further north, where this plant occurs no more, they are also found in other legumes, such as alfalfa ( Medicago ), birdsfoot trefoil ( Lotus ), Astragalus ( Astragalus ), vetch ( Vicia ) , Esparsettes ( Onobrychis ), Gorse ( Genista ) or Restharrow ( Ononis ).

If disturbed, the animals can fall to the ground and pretend to be dead. They overwinter in the third or fourth stage of nymphs in the litter. Adult bugs appear from the end of May. They mate in June and July and lay eggs in July and August. This is done in double rows of up to 12 pieces on both sides of the leaves of the food plants. Adult bedbugs can be seen until September.

supporting documents

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Frieder Sauer: Sauer's nature guide, bugs and cicadas recognized from color photos . Fauna, Keltern 1996, ISBN 3-923010-12-5 , p. 32 .
  2. ↑ a b c d Frieder Sauer: Sauer's nature guide, bugs and cicadas recognized from color photos . Fauna, Keltern 1996, ISBN 3-923010-12-5 , p. 28 .
  3. ↑ Ekkehard Wachmann : Observe bugs - get to know . Neumann-Neudamm, Melsungen 1989, ISBN 3-7888-0554-4 , p. 72 .

literature

  • Frieder Sauer: Sauer's nature guide recognized bugs and cicadas from color photos . Fauna, Keltern 1996, ISBN 3-923010-12-5 .
  • Ekkehard Wachmann : watch bugs - get to know . Neumann-Neudamm, Melsungen 1989, ISBN 3-7888-0554-4 .
  • Frieder Sauer: Sauer's nature guide recognized bugs and cicadas from color photos . Fauna, Keltern 1996, ISBN 3-923010-12-5 .

Web links

Commons : Coptosoma scutellatum  - collection of images, videos and audio files