''Rhacognathus punctatus'', the Heather Bug, is a species of

stink bug Stink bug or stinkbug is a common name for several insects and may refer to: * Any of several bugs in the true bug (hemipteran) family Pentatomidae **''Halyomorpha halys The brown marmorated stink bug (''Halyomorpha halys'') is an insect in the ...

s (

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Pentatomidae).

Description

''Rhacognathus punctatus'' can reach a length of . This predatory

has a mottled metallic bronze-brown shieldbug, extended shoulders, a pale longitudinal line on the pronotum and dark brown legs with a whitish band on the tibia. Females lay their eggs in May and June, while the adults are present throughout the year. Adults of these bugs prey on the larvae of leaf beetles and ''

Chrysomelidae The insects of the beetle family Chrysomelidae are commonly known as leaf beetles, and include over 37,000 (and probably at least 50,000) species in more than 2,500 genera, making up one of the largest and most commonly encountered of all beetle ...

'' species, especially on the larvae of ''

Lochmaea caprea ''Lochmaea caprea'' is a species of Chrysomelidae, leaf beetle native to Europe.Warchalowski, A. (2003) ''Chrysomelidae. The Leaf-beetles of Europe and the Mediterranean Area''. Warsawa: Natura Optima Dux. References External linksImages repre ...

'' and ''

Lochmaea suturalis ''Lochmaea suturalis'', commonly referred to as the heather beetle, is a beetle of the genus ''Lochmaea'' native to north-west Europe. It feeds upon heather. They are difficult to spot as they are camouflaged with a brownish colour, and are abo ...

''.

Distribution

This species is present in most of Europe.

Habitat

This stink bug prefers the edges of heaths, moors and lowland mires.

References

Biolib

Fauna Europaea

External links

Virtual Fauna of Lakeland
Asopinae Bugs described in 1758 Hemiptera of Europe Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus {{Pentatomidae-stub