Balclutha punctata

Description

Length 4 mm. A highly variable species which is nonetheless reasonably distinctive. The vertex, as seen from above, is very narrow, and the pronotum sharply pointed anteriorly. There are three basic colour forms. The darker form has forewing spots in the same positions as the pale form, but extended into broad patches. It usually has an additional two dark spots on the pronotum. Other specimens are distinctly reddish or orange, with the same range of dark markings. The pattern on the scutellum often serves to confirm identification.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Good photographs showing key identification features required. 

Habitat

Usually found on grasses but overwintering on firs and other evergreens.

When to see it

Adult: February to November.

Life History

Overwinters as an adult.

UK Status

Reasonably common and widespread across Britain.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent 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

Species group:
Bugs
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hemiptera
Family:
Cicadellidae
Records on NatureSpot:
54
First record:
20/09/2008 (Gould, David)
Last record:
21/10/2024 (Cann, Alan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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