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This page covers several bugs that belong to various families. Some of these are represented in our region by few species only, others are rarely seen in gardens. Assassin Bugs differ from shield bugs by a longer and more slender body, usually long, thin antennae. Assassin Bugs actually belong to two families: the Damsel Bugs (Nabidae) and the Kissing Bugs (Reduviidae). Another well known family is that of the Water Striders. Actually it is represented by various species in our parts, but these are extremely difficult to tell apart. Seed Bugs are also known as Ground Bugs. Usually they are dark. Most are small bugs, looking much like Plant Bugs. Often you can tell the difference by looking at the antennae: the Seed Bugs have antennae looking like those of the Shield Bugs. Those of the Plant Bugs are usually long, very thin and often one part is much longer than the others. Another difference between the two families is that Seed Bugs have ocelli (small simplified eyes on top of the head), Plant Bugs don't. The odd family of Lace Bugs is comprised of among others a number of species similar to leaded windows. The Scentless Plant Bugs have a transparent section (often referred to as 'windows) in their upper shields.
Pyrrhocoris apterus
Although the Firebug and Corizus hyoscyami (see below) belong to different families the resemblance makes it difficult to tell these bugs apart. The main differences are the colour of the head, the pattern on the body and wings and inability to fly. More...
Family: Pyrrhocoridae
Although the Firebug and Corizus hyoscyami (see below) belong to different families the resemblance makes it difficult to tell these bugs apart. The main differences are the colour of the head, the pattern on the body and wings and inability to fly. More...
Family: Pyrrhocoridae
Corizus hyoscyami
Corizus hyoscyami is often mistaken for the Firebug, however its head is red, the markings differ considerably and it is capable of flying. More...
Family: Scentless Plant Bugs (Rhopalidae)
Corizus hyoscyami is often mistaken for the Firebug, however its head is red, the markings differ considerably and it is capable of flying. More...
Family: Scentless Plant Bugs (Rhopalidae)
Stictopleurus abutilon
In my garden two Stictopleurus species turn up regularly. Stictopleurus abutilon is extremely similar to the other species, but lacks the glasses like markings of that species on the neck shield. More...
Family: Scentless Plant Bugs (Rhopalidae)
In my garden two Stictopleurus species turn up regularly. Stictopleurus abutilon is extremely similar to the other species, but lacks the glasses like markings of that species on the neck shield. More...
Family: Scentless Plant Bugs (Rhopalidae)
Stictopleurus punctatonervosus
Stictopleurus punctatonervosus is very similar to the species above, but is supposed to wear spectacles. More...
Family: Scentless Plant Bugs (Rhopalidae)
Stictopleurus punctatonervosus is very similar to the species above, but is supposed to wear spectacles. More...
Family: Scentless Plant Bugs (Rhopalidae)
Rhopalus parumpunctatus
Rhopalus parumpunctatus is a small and slightly hairy Scentless Plant Bug. More...
Family: Scentless Plant Bugs (Rhopalidae)
Rhopalus parumpunctatus is a small and slightly hairy Scentless Plant Bug. More...
Family: Scentless Plant Bugs (Rhopalidae)
Mask Hunter (Reduvius personatus)
Strikingly bigger bug with a bit intimidating appearance. More...
Family: Assasin Bugs (Reduviidae), subfamily: Reduviinae
Strikingly bigger bug with a bit intimidating appearance. More...
Family: Assasin Bugs (Reduviidae), subfamily: Reduviinae
Rhopalus subrufus
Rhopalus subrufus is a very small Scentless Plant Bug. Easily identified by the great contrast between the whitish and reddish brown parts.
Family: Scentless Plant Bugs (Rhopalidae)
Rhopalus subrufus is a very small Scentless Plant Bug. Easily identified by the great contrast between the whitish and reddish brown parts.
Family: Scentless Plant Bugs (Rhopalidae)
Andromeda Lace Bug Stephanitis takeyai
This beautiful but very small Andromeda Lace Bug was first seen in the UK in 1998. More...
Family: Lace Bugs (Tingidae)
This beautiful but very small Andromeda Lace Bug was first seen in the UK in 1998. More...
Family: Lace Bugs (Tingidae)
Ant Damsel Bug Himacerus mirmicoides, larva
The larva of Himacerus mirmicoides perfectly mimicks an ant. More...
Family: Assassin Bugs (Damsel Bugs - Nabidae)
The larva of Himacerus mirmicoides perfectly mimicks an ant. More...
Family: Assassin Bugs (Damsel Bugs - Nabidae)
Ant Damsel Bug Himacerus mirmicoides, adult
Adults of Himacerus mirmicoides are very similar to those of the next species, but have shorter antennae. More....
Family: Assassin Bugs (Damsel Bugs - Nabidae)
Adults of Himacerus mirmicoides are very similar to those of the next species, but have shorter antennae. More....
Family: Assassin Bugs (Damsel Bugs - Nabidae)
Himacerus apterus, adult
The antannae of Himacerus apterus are always longer than the body is. more...
Family: Assassin Bugs (Damsel Bugs - Nabidae)
The antannae of Himacerus apterus are always longer than the body is. more...
Family: Assassin Bugs (Damsel Bugs - Nabidae)
Himacerus apterus, larva
The larva of Himacerus apterus looks like its parents, rather than like an ant. more...
Family: Assassin Bugs (Damsel Bugs - Nabidae)
The larva of Himacerus apterus looks like its parents, rather than like an ant. more...
Family: Assassin Bugs (Damsel Bugs - Nabidae)
Water Strider Gerris lacustris
Whether this Water Strider (also known as Pond Skater) really is Gerris lacustris is uncertain, for there are several almost identical species around. more...
Family: Water Striders (Gerridae)
Whether this Water Strider (also known as Pond Skater) really is Gerris lacustris is uncertain, for there are several almost identical species around. more...
Family: Water Striders (Gerridae)
Kleidocerys resedae
Kleidocerys resedae may appear in huge numbers. more...
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
Kleidocerys resedae may appear in huge numbers. more...
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
Lygus pratensis
Lygus pratensis is a loving species. The small yellow mark just behind the head is heart shaped. more...
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
Lygus pratensis is a loving species. The small yellow mark just behind the head is heart shaped. more...
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
Megalonotus chiragra
Megalonotus chiragra is a very dull, slightly hairy and unmarked Seed Bug. There are other very similar species. more...
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
Megalonotus chiragra is a very dull, slightly hairy and unmarked Seed Bug. There are other very similar species. more...
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
Drymus species
The genus Drymus is comprised of several, very similar brown species. Usually they can not be identified from just pictures. more...
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
The genus Drymus is comprised of several, very similar brown species. Usually they can not be identified from just pictures. more...
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
Drymus brunneus
Drymus brunneus is one of the few Drymus species which are identified easily. It is brownish and especially the legs are partially brown. They are usually black in most other genus members. More about this species soon.
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
Drymus brunneus is one of the few Drymus species which are identified easily. It is brownish and especially the legs are partially brown. They are usually black in most other genus members. More about this species soon.
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
Rhyparochromus vulgaris
This is a bug with elongated shape and black, dark brown and whitish patterns on its wings and body. more...
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
This is a bug with elongated shape and black, dark brown and whitish patterns on its wings and body. more...
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
Scolopostethus pictus
One in a series of similar species. The legs are rather light and the antennae are light as well. Usually an adult Scolopostethus pictus is fully winged. more...
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
One in a series of similar species. The legs are rather light and the antennae are light as well. Usually an adult Scolopostethus pictus is fully winged. more...
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
Scolopostethus affinis
Scolopostethus affinis is very similar to the previous species, except for the antannae, which are vicolour. And what's more, the upper part of the leg is darker. Finally it usually has reduced wings. more...
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
Scolopostethus affinis is very similar to the previous species, except for the antannae, which are vicolour. And what's more, the upper part of the leg is darker. Finally it usually has reduced wings. more...
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
Scolopostethus puberulus
Scolopostethus puberulus can be told apart from his brothers by looking at the bicoloured antennae. The light first two segments of the antenna are in sharp contrast with the two dark upper segments. More about this species in future.
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
Scolopostethus puberulus can be told apart from his brothers by looking at the bicoloured antennae. The light first two segments of the antenna are in sharp contrast with the two dark upper segments. More about this species in future.
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
Scolopostethus thomsoni
Scolopostethus thomsoni has very short remains of the membranous part of the top wings. And these are cut off straight and not rounded. The second segment of the antennae has a dark top. More about this species in future.
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
Scolopostethus thomsoni has very short remains of the membranous part of the top wings. And these are cut off straight and not rounded. The second segment of the antennae has a dark top. More about this species in future.
Family: Seed Bugs (Lygaeidae)
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