Ant Damsel Bug - Himacerus mirmicoides
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Species Description
Widespread and fairly frequent in the South especially in coastal regions. It is rare in the Nothern half of Britain. Habitat includes: Dry, open places with low herbage such as coasts, gardens, parks, allotments, roadside verges, railway banks, wasteland, old quarries etc. From my encounters it seems to have an association with yellow flowers especially Common Fleabane and Ragwort. Diet: Nectar of Composites (I've recorded it on Common Fleabane). Other names include: Aptus mirmicoides (old name). Adult seen: All year round. Life story: Adults overwinter, mating and lay eggs in the spring. The new generation is complete by August. Length: 7 - 8 mm.
Nabidae (3 genre) ////
Himacerus (4 species)
- Himacerus (Anaptus) major
- Himacerus (Aptus) mirmicoides (Ant Damsel Bug)
- Himacerus (Himacerus) apterus (Tree Damsel Bug)
- Himacerus (Stalia) boops
Nabis (1 subgenus, 9 species)
Nabis / infrageneric Dolichonabis
- Nabis (Dolichonabis) limbatus (Marsh Damselbug)
- Nabis (Limnonabis) lineatus (Reed Damsel Bug) x
- Nabis (Nabicula) flavomarginatus (Broad Damselbug)
- Nabis (Nabis) brevis
- Nabis (Nabis) ericetorum (Heath Damselbug)
- Nabis (Nabis) ferus (Field Damsel Bug)
- Nabis (Nabis) pseudoferus
- Nabis (Nabis) rugosus (Common Damselbug)
- Nabis (Tropiconabis) capsiformis 0 records.
Prostemma (1 species)
- Prostemma (Prostemma) guttula
14 species
- Himacerus (Anaptus) major -
- Himacerus (Aptus) mirmicoides (Ant Damsel Bug) //
- Himacerus (Himacerus) apterus (Tree Damsel Bug) -
- Himacerus (Stalia) boops x
- Nabis (Dolichonabis) limbatus (Marsh Damselbug) x
- Nabis (Limnonabis) lineatus (Reed Damsel Bug) x
- Nabis (Nabicula) flavomarginatus (Broad Damselbug) -
- Nabis (Nabis) brevis /
- Nabis (Nabis) ericetorum (Heath Damselbug) /
- Nabis (Nabis) ferus (Field Damsel Bug) /
- Nabis (Nabis) pseudoferus /
- Nabis (Nabis) rugosus (Common Damselbug) /
- Nabis (Tropiconabis) capsiformis 0 records. x
- Prostemma (Prostemma) guttula x