Poplar Gall Bug

Poplar Gall Bug - Anthocoris minki

Description

Ground colour reddish-brown.  Antennae reddish brown with spots and at least the basal half of ant2 lighter, and also frequently the base of ant3 and ant4.  Pronotum brownish, darkened in its basal region; scutellum darker, black.  Hemelytra with very short yellowish pubescence; dull clavus, shiny exocoria, shiny endocoria behind, progressively duller in front. Shiny cuneus, the outer edges of which are reddish or brown.  Legs yellowish to russet, the tibiae sometimes partially darkened.  Paramere of male with a small anteapical tooth, the proximal edge of this tooth extending outside the arc of the inner edge.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Extremely difficult to identify unless found within Poplar galls. Ideally confirmed by dissection of male paramere. 

Habitat

On Poplar trees, especially Lombardy Poplar, Populus nigra var. Italica

When to see it

Summer, as Poplar galls mature. 

Life History

Larvae and adults predate Pemphigus aphids which cause spiral petiole galls on Poplar. The Anthocoris larvae develop within the galls.

UK Status

Status in Britain not known.

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records