Heterotoma planicornis

[Paul]

Heterotoma planicornis is a member of the capsid family of Miridae bugs. If you spot them on a leaf in the garden and disturb them, because of those very long legs, they disappear in the blink of an eye, usually to the underside of the leaf. They are about 4½mm to 5½mm in length and have brown eyes and long antennae that they wave around in the air - as if they are using them like radar!

 

The broad and flattened antennal segment, dark ground colour, and the contrasting greenish legs make this species unmistakable. There were actually two on the fuchsia this afternoon  though this is the same one, hiding after it saw me coming, and then it scarpered out onto the edge of another nearby leaf, and then disappearing completely!

 

 

[Paul]

 

 

Paul.