Leptopterna dolabrata, Meadow Plant Bug

Common Name: Meadow Plant Bug

Leptopterna dolabrata is a member of the large and diverse insect family Miridae, which contains the plant bugs, leaf bugs, and grass bugs, and may also be known as capsid bugs. Leptopterna species are large and common grass bugs which often have reddish or orange-yellow forewings. They have a transverse furrow between the eyes and the legs and antennae are covered in long dark hairs.

There are two very similar species, both of which are sexually dimorphic. Males are always macropterous (fully-winged) and females usually brachypterous (partly-winged). In the male, colour darkens with age, from black and yellow to black and orange-red.

The length of the 2nd antennal segment is much greater than the 3rd and 4th combined. In the female the 2nd antennal segment is thinner than the base of the front tibia. A common and widespread bug throughout the UK, feeding on a variety of grasses.

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