Forget-me-not Shieldbug - Sehirus luctuosus

Description

Length 5-8mm, wing membrane brown. A completely black shieldbug, sometimes with a bronzy sheen. Margins of head and pronotum without bristles. Wing membrane is brown. 

Similar Species

There is a closely-related species present in the UK, Sehirus morio, which seems to be turning up in greater numbers: 
Sehirus luctuosus: length 5-8mm, wing membrane brown;
Sehirus morio: length 8-12mm, wing membrane is pale. If in doubt, please retain a specimen for examination. 

Identification difficulty
Habitat

This species is associated with forget-me-not (Myosotis sp.) particularly on light chalky soils with a warm open aspect.

When to see it

All year round.

Life History

There is one generation per year and the new generation is complete by August. Feeds on forget-me-not seeds.

UK Status

Widespread but local in southern Britain, but probably overlooked due to its rather unobtrusive habits.

VC55 Status

Uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Forget-me-not Shieldbug
Species group:
Bugs
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hemiptera
Family:
Cydnidae
Records on NatureSpot:
39
First record:
13/05/2016 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
20/04/2024 (Pugh, Dylan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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