Fine Streaked Bugkin Miris striatus
The Fine Streaked Bugkin is a very big Plant Bug, measuring 9 to 12 mm. It does look like Rhabdomiris striatellus, below, very much, but the differences are obvious: the head and neck shield of the Fine Streaked Bugkin are black, except for a yellow spot on the neckshield. Rhabdomiris striatellus has both head and neckshield yellow with some brownish spots. The species does have a dark variety however, which has a black neck shield as well. Over the neckshield runs a yellow line with a yellow spot on each side. That is quite different from the large yellow blob on the neckshield of the Fine Streaked Bugkin. And besides: the Fine Streaked Bugkin is always larger. Sometimes they are seen together, as both are mainly found on oak. It is easy to see the differences then.
The females deposit their eggs in the bark of trees by the end of June or in July. The eggs remain there for a long time and even overwinter. In April the first nymphs are seen. They are very similar to ants. The first adults appear by the end of May, but usually in June. The Fine Streaked Bugkin is a weird Plant Bug. It does not suck on plants, but it is a hunter. It especially sucks on caterpillars, but will suck on other soft insect larvae as well. And it also has a great interest in insect eggs!
A very common species all over Western Europe, including all of Britain.
