Pilophorus perplexus

Pilophorus perplexus

Description

Length 4.5 mm. Pilophorus species are rather active and ant-like bugs, which have silvery bands on the forewings formed by pale hairs. In both common species the posterior band is continuous across the forewings. However, P. perplexus has duller brown, sometimes blackish forewings and is associated with deciduous trees, particularly oak, whilst P. cinnamopterus  is rather more orange brown and is associated with Scots Pine.

Similar Species

Pilophorus cinnamopterus

Identification difficulty
Habitat

On deciduous trees and shrubs.

When to see it

Adult: July to October

Life History

In common with P. cinnamopterus it feeds on aphids.

UK Status

This species is found widely across southern Britain.

VC55 Status

Scarce 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