''Thyreocoris scarabaeoides'' is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
shield bug found in
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...
. It is small (3–4 mm.), nearly round and dark bronzy coloured. The surface is shining, glabrous and strongly punctured. The antennae are piceous, the scutellum not quite covering the corium and membrane. The legs are black with spinose tibiae and piceous
tarsi.
[Edward Saunders, 1892 ''The Hemiptera Heteroptera of the British Islands : a descriptive account of the families, genera, and species indigenous to Great Britain and Ireland : with notes as to localities, habitats'']
The nymphs and adults feed primarily on violets (''
Viola
The viola ( , also , ) is a string instrument that is bow (music), bowed, plucked, or played with varying techniques. Slightly larger than a violin, it has a lower and deeper sound. Since the 18th century, it has been the middle or alto voice of ...
''), but they are found on the ground under different plant species. Initially, the nymphs live in aggregations. Overwintering is under dry leaf and needle litter, under stones or in moss. Mating takes place from April, the egg laying mainly in May and June. The adult animals of the new generation can be found from late July or August. There is a single generation per year.
References
External links
Galerie Insecte
Shield bugs
Hemiptera of Europe
Insects described in 1758
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
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