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Geotomus punctulatus Cornish Shieldbug
Family: Cydnidae

 Geotomus are small shieldbugs which have sparse long hairs around the margins of the head, pronotum and forewings. There are sometimes reddish-brown markings on the corium and rear margin of the pronotum.

Although there are slight differences in body shape between the two British species, examination of the male parameres provides the only conclusive means of identification. These are pointed in G. punctulatus and flat-topped in G. petiti (see below).

G. punctulatus is associated with Ladies Bedstraw Galium verum growing in low sand dunes. This is an extremely rare species in Britain and confined to a single locality, Sennen Cove in Cornwall. 
Adult: All year
Length 3.5-4.5 mm

see illustrated life stages chart
 		Geotomus punctulatus
Adult: Cornwall (August 2010) ©Tristan Bantock
Geotomus punctulatus Geotomus punctulatus
Adult: Cornwall (August 2010) ©Tristan Bantock

 Adult: Jersey (August 2010) ©Tristan Bantock
Geotomus parameres Geotomus punctulatus
Male parameres: G. punctulatus (L), G. petiti (R) ©Tristan Bantock
 Late instar nymph: Cornwall (August 2010) ©Joe Botting