Placochilus seladonicus

Placochilus seladonicus is a species of insects in the family Miridae, the plant bugs.[1]

Placochilus seladonicus
Placochilus seladonicus. Adult.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Hemiptera
Suborder:
Heteroptera
Infraorder:
Cimicomorpha
Superfamily:
Miroidea
Family:
Miridae
Subfamily:
Mirinae
Tribe:
Phylini
Genus:
Placochilus
Species:
P. seladonicus
Binomial name
Placochilus seladonicus
(Fallén, 1807)

Subspecies

Subspecies include:[1]

  • Placochilus seladonicus mediterraneus Josifov, 1969
  • Placochilus seladonicus seladonicus (Fallén, 1807

Distribution and habitat

This species is present in most of Europe.[2] It can be found on dry meadows, roadsides,[3] as well as on areas with tall grassy vegetation[4] or where the preferred host plants live.[3]

Description

Placochilus seladonicus can reach a length of about 5 millimetres (0.20 in). These small mirids show a dull, whitish blue or gray green body and big eyes.

Biology

Placochilus seladonicus is a univoltine species.[3] Adults can be found from mid June to mid August.[3] Eggs overwinter.[3] Nymphs and adults feed on leaves and stems of various plants, especially on flower heads or flower buds[4] of field scabious (Knautia arvensis)[3] that match the color of adult insects.[5]

Bibliography
  • NAU, B.S. 1994. Notes on Placochilus seladonicus (Fall.) (Hem., Miridae) in Britain. Entomologist's Monthly Magazine, 130: 209-210
  • NAU, B.S. 1978. Two plant bugs new to Britain, Placochilus seladonicus (Fall) and Campylomma annulicornis (Sig.) (Heteroptera, Miridae). Entomologist's Monthly Magazine, 114,157-159.

References
  1. Biolib
  2. Fauna europaea
  3. Miridae.dk
  4. Dr K N A Alexander - A review of the invertebrates associated with lowland calcareous grassland - English Nature Research Report - Report Number 512, pg. 60 - ISSN 0967-876X
  5. David L. Hawksworth The Changing Wildlife of Great Britain and Ireland pg. 273
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