Oak jewelry bug
| Oak jewelry bug | ||||||||||||
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Oak jewelery bug ( Rhabdomiris striatellus ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Rhabdomiris (Calocoris) striatellus | ||||||||||||
| ( Fabricius , 1794) |
The oak jewelery bug ( Rhabdomiris striatellus ) is a Palearctic species that belongs to the family of soft bugs or blind bugs (Miridae). Its way of life is closely tied to oaks ( Quercus ). Synonyms of the scientific species name are Calocoris quadripunctatus ( Villers , 1789) and Calocoris ochromelas ( Gmelin , 1790).
features
The elongated oval insects reach body lengths between 7 and 8.5 millimeters. The basic color of the animals is yellow to red-brown. The veins of the yellow wing covers ( hemielytres ) are flanked by darker stripes in the leathery part (corium). In the case of dark shapes, these are wider Sometimes the wings are completely black. The wing tips (cuneus) of the leathery part are yellow with a black tip just before the membrane. The long legs with thorny splints ( tibia ) are red-brown to black in color, as are the antennae . A distinctive feature of the animals is the yellow-brown pronotum , which has a dark transverse band close to the rear edge and four black spots. The latter can be connected in dark individuals. The external appearance of the bug resembles the much larger splendor bug ( Miris striatus ). This is also much slimmer, mostly darker in color and the Cuneus does not have a black tip.
distribution and habitat
The oak jewelery bug is widespread throughout Europe, with the exception of the extreme north and the southern Mediterranean region. Their distribution area extends to the east over Asia Minor to the Caucasus . It populates mainly oaks ( Quercus ), both dense stands and individual trees.
Way of life
The bug is zoophytophagous : the larvae primarily suckle on the flowers and fruits of their host trees. The adults live mainly predatory on aphids and the larvae of other insects. Both sexes are capable of flying with fully developed wings and are often quite active. They are also often found on other deciduous trees , on herbs and occasionally on conifers from May to June . However, their way of life is evidently only linked to oaks. The hemimetabolic animals overwinter in the egg stage. The larvae sometimes hatch in May. From June the females lay their eggs in the female flower buds of the oaks, which usually die as a result.
literature
- E. Wachmann, A. Melber & J. Deckert: Bugs Volume 2: Cimicomorpha: Microphysidae (lichen bugs), Miridae (soft bugs) . Revised version of the bugs in Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland, Goecke & Evers, Keltern 2004. ISBN 3-931-37457-2
