Myrmecoris gracilis
| Myrmecoris gracilis | ||||||||||||
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Myrmecoris gracilis |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Myrmecoris gracilis | ||||||||||||
| ( RF Sahlberg , 1848) |
Myrmecoris gracilis , also known as the ant bug , is a type of bug from the family of soft bugs (Miridae). The genus Myrmecoris is monotypical with only onespecies of ant-like shape that iscommon in the Palearctic region. In its outward appearance and way of life, it differs greatly from the other representatives of the group of Stenodemini commonly known as “grass bugs”.
distribution and habitat
The distribution area of Myrmecoris gracilis includes the whole of northern and central Europe as well as the west of the northern Mediterranean . To the east it spreads to Siberia , China and Korea . The bug lives in dry, warm to moderately moist, grass-rich open locations. The adult animals can be observed walking around on the ground or climbing up grass and herbs in cool, damp weather.
Features and way of life
The bugs get four to six millimeters long. The adult insects resemble ants of the genus Formica , the larvae dark Lasius species. They are often found together with ants, but apparently there is no direct relationship to this group of animals. Ant bugs feed on zoophytophagus, that is, both on plant sap and on other insects. Their preferred range of prey includes mainly aphids , but also other small arthropods and their eggs; occasionally they ingest honeydew . Their diet is in contrast to that of "grass bugs" (Stenodemini), which are pure phytophagi. Ant bug larvae hatch in May and the adults can be found from early June to early August. Both sexes are mostly short-winged (brachypter), rarely long-winged (macroptere) individuals occur. Ant bugs train one generation per year. The eggs are sunk by the females in older blades of grass and overwinter there.
literature
- E. Wachmann, A. Melber, J. Deckert: Cimicomorpha. Microphysidae (lichen bugs), Miridae (soft bugs). Goecke & Evers, Keltern 2004, ISBN 3-931-37457-2 (The animal world of Germany and the adjacent parts of the sea according to their characteristics and their way of life, Vol. 75, revision of the bedbugs in Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland).