Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Suborder Heteroptera Rank Species | Phylum Arthropoda Order Hemiptera Family Scutelleridae | |
Eurygaster confidens is a species of true bug or shield-backed bug belonging to the family Scutelleridae.
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Description
Eurygaster confidens can reach a length of 10–15 millimetres (0.39–0.59 in). The body is oval and slightly convex. The head is triangular and smoothly rounded, with a small pair of compound eyes. The pronotum has slightly protruding hind corners. The scutellum covers the wings and the whole abdomen. The ground color is mostly brown, but can be light gray or also black. The shield has rich texture with specific triangle starting at the top hump. The top hump has rather solid color. The left and right edge discovers mixed color in a stripe format.
They can be found from May to August, becoming adult from July. The females lay their eggs in the spring in small packages on the underside of leaves' surfaces. After a few weeks, the eggs hatch as young nymphs. After five molts, they are fully developed and ready to overwinter in leaf litter.
These shield-backed bugs feed on various grasses and grain plants (wheat, rye, barley and sometimes oats, corn and millet). The adults and their larvae are very harmful to crops.
Distribution
This species is widespread in Europe, but also in large parts of Asia and North America.
Habitat
Their habitat is calcareous grassland.