Dicranocephalus agilis
| Dicranocephalus agilis | ||||||||||||
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Dicranocephalus agilis |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Dicranocephalus agilis | ||||||||||||
| ( Scopoli , 1763) |
Dicranocephalus agilis is a bug fromthe Stenocephalidae family .
features
The bugs are 11.2 to 13.5 millimeters long. The brown colored animals with beige patterns are difficult to distinguish from Dicranocephalus medius and Dicranocephalus albipes , but they are somewhat larger than Dicranocephalus medius and have a more elongated body. The other two species differ from Dicranocephalus albipes in that they have fine nodules between the wing veins on the membranes of the hemielytras . In Dicranocephalus albipes these spaces are completely smooth. Dicranocephalus medius and Dicranocephalus agilis can be distinguished by the color of the first part of their antennae. The first type has a narrow black ring on the inside, followed by a medium-sized white, a brownish and, in turn, a medium-sized white ring. Finally, at the end of the first antenna segment, there is a wide black ring, so that the color appears unevenly overall. In Dicranocephalus agilis , after a narrow black ring, the first antenna segment is followed by two white and black rings of equal size, so that the antennae appear evenly colored.
distribution and habitat
The species is distributed from North Africa across the Mediterranean to the south of Scandinavia and the British Isles and east to China. It is widespread in Central Europe and is the most common species in their family there. In the northwestern German lowlands, however, it is only widespread in isolated cases. In Great Britain the species is rare and restricted to sand dunes in the south and southwest. Dry, warm, open habitats are settled.
Way of life
The animals feed on spurge ( Euphorbia ), especially cypress spurge ( Euphorbia cyparissias ). They live mainly on the ground, but at high temperatures can also be observed on the food plants and while flying. Early in the year, at the beginning of the mating season, the adults can be found but also other plants; also on trees. The females lay their eggs individually on the inflorescences of the food plants in May and June. Adult animals of the new generation can be found from mid-August, rarely earlier. In addition, nymphs can still appear until autumn. As a rule, only one generation is trained each year. However, it is unclear whether the matings observed in August indicate a second generation or whether the mating here takes place before wintering.
supporting documents
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Wachmann: Wanzen , vol. 3, p. 254ff
- ↑ a b Dicranocephalus agilis. British Bugs, accessed June 21, 2014 .
- ↑ a b Dicranocephalus agilis (Scopoli, 1763). Insects Saxony, accessed on June 21, 2014 .
literature
- Ekkehard Wachmann , Albert Melber, Jürgen Deckert: Bugs. Volume 3: Pentatomomorpha I: Aradoidea (bark bugs), Lygaeoidea (ground bugs, etc.), Pyrrhocoroidea (fire bugs) and Coreoidea (edge bugs, etc.). (= The animal world of Germany and the adjacent parts of the sea according to their characteristics and their way of life . 78th part). Goecke & Evers, Keltern 2007, ISBN 978-3-937783-29-1 .
Web links
- Dicranocephalus agilis at Fauna Europaea. Retrieved June 21, 2014