Placochilus seladonicus

Placochilus seladonicus is a species of insect in the family Miridae, the plant bugs.^[1]

Placochilus seladonicus
Placochilus seladonicus. Adult.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Heteroptera
Family:	Miridae
Genus:	Placochilus
Species:	P. seladonicus
Binomial name
Placochilus seladonicus (Fallén, 1807)

Subspecies

Subspecies include:^[1]

• Placochilus seladonicus mediterraneus Josifov, 1969
• Placochilus seladonicus seladonicus (Fallén, 1807

Distribution and habitat

This species is present in most of Europe.^[2] It can be found on dry meadows, roadsides,^[3] as well as on areas with tall grassy vegetation^[4] or where the preferred host plants live.^[3]

Description

Placochilus seladonicus can reach a length of about 5 millimetres (0.20 in). These small mirids show a dull, whitish blue or gray green body and big eyes.

Biology

Placochilus seladonicus is a univoltine species.^[3] Adults can be found from mid June to mid August.^[3] Eggs overwinter.^[3] Nymphs and adults feed on leaves and stems of various plants, especially on flower heads or flower buds^[4] of field scabious (Knautia arvensis)^[3] that match the color of adult insects.^[5]

Bibliography

• NAU, B.S. 1994. Notes on Placochilus seladonicus (Fall.) (Hem., Miridae) in Britain. Entomologist's Monthly Magazine, 130: 209-210
• NAU, B.S. 1978. Two plant bugs new to Britain, Placochilus seladonicus (Fall) and Campylomma annulicornis (Sig.) (Heteroptera, Miridae). Entomologist's Monthly Magazine, 114,157-159.