Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Suborder Heteroptera Rank Species | Phylum Arthropoda Order Hemiptera Family Miridae | |
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Similar Megalocoleus tanaceti, Orthops kalmii, Atractotomus magnicornis, Oncotylus viridiflavus, Mecomma ambulans | ||
Orthonotus rufifrons is a species of plant bugs belonging to the family Miridae.
Contents
Description
Orthonotus rufifrons can reach a length of 3.9–4.6 millimetres (0.15–0.18 in) in males, of 3.0–3.4 millimetres (0.12–0.13 in) in females. These plant bugs are rounded in shape, dark brown in color and covered with pale hairs. In the females the head is reddish (hence the Latin name rufifrons, meaning reddish forehead) and the 2nd antennal segment shows a dark ring at the base, while in males antennae are completely dark brown. The legs are bright reddish.
The sexes are dimorphic. Females are brachypterous and show short hemielytrae, while males look like a typical mirid bug. In fact, they are fully winged (macropterous), with an elongated parallel-sided body. The nymphs are light red.
Biology
Adults can be found from June to September. This species has one generation per year. Eggs overwinter and the nymphs usually occur in May. These bugs commonly live on stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). They feed on plant juices, as well as on small insects, especially aphids.
Distribution
This species is present in most of Europe.
Habitat
Orthonotus rufifrons occurs especially in damp or in shady places in forests.