Orthops campestris

Orthops campestris

Description

Length around 4 mm. This genus contains three similar species which are often found on umbellifers. They generally have dark antennae. Although external characters are useful, some specimens cannot be reliably identified without dissection. O. campestris is usually green or green-tinged and is the smallest and most oval Orthops species. Note the short antennae; the 3rd segment is much shorter than the head width.

Similar Species

Orthops kalmii and Orthops basalis.

Neolygus viridis is superficially similar but is larger, with longer antennae.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Often associated with Wild Parsnip, the foodplant.

When to see it

Adult: all year.

Life History

Adults overwinter and mate in the spring; the new generation is complete from July onwards.

UK Status

A widespread and fairly common bug in Britain.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.

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