Zygina angusta

Zygina angusta

Description

Length 3 mm.  The red zigzag pattern on the forewing rarely reaches the scutellum, and the area of clavus between the zigzag has a dark smoky tint.  The scutellum is mostly brown and the hind tarsi of males have a pale basal and adjacent segment.  Male sternal apodeme lobes elongate.

Similar Species

Zygina ordinaria is very similar and can only be reliably disinguished from Z angusta by examination of male sternal apodemes; it has poorly developed lobes. Zygina tiliae/suavis/schneideri have a pale yellowish scutellum or with red markings; male tarsi are all darkened.  Zygina flammigera has a pale area of clavus within the red zigzags.

Identification difficulty

males

Recording advice

Can only be reliably identified by examination of internal abdominal structure - the apodemes - of males. 

Habitat

Various trees, especially oak and hawthorn, overwinters on conifers, holly and ivy and other evergreens

When to see it

Adult: July to May.

UK Status
VC55 Status

Probably frequent; but very few specimens dissected to confirm ID

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