Lygus pratensis

Lygus pratensis is a species of plant bugs belonging to the family Miridae. This species can be found in most of Europe, in Africa, in Northern Asia (excluding China) and in Oriental ecozone. These bugs prefers heaths, hedge rows and meadows (hence the species name pratensis, meaning of a meadow). Lygus pratensis can reach a length of 6.1–7.3 millimetres (0.24–0.29 in) in males, of 5.8–6.7 millimetres (0.23–0.26 in) in females. The color pattern and markings of these plant bugs vary greatly. Color may be green, brown or reddish. Usually the males are light reddish-brown to dark red, while the females are green and brownish-colored. The body is oval in shape and slightly flattened. The scutellum is heart-shaped in both sexes. The wings are clearly visible, as they are not completely covered by the hemielytra. Eyes, legs and antennae are usually reddish. These bugs can be identified mainly on the basis of the fine details of the corium. This species is very similar to Lygus wagneri, but usually it is slightly larger, has longer membrane and a more densely pubescent corium. It is also quite similar to Lygus maritimus and Lygus rugulipennis. Lygus pratensis is a sap-sucking species. Both the larvae and the adults suck the juice of different herbaceous plants, but also nectar of flowers (especially of Leucanthemum vulgare and Tanacetum vulgare). They are polyphagous, mainly feeding on juices of Ranunculus acris, Raphanus raphanistrum, Linaria vulgaris, Calluna vulgaris and of various Asteraceae species, but also on Aphididae species. This species is considered a pest. Adults are present all year, with one or two generations. The adult insects overwinter in the litter, in moss or under barks.