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Nysius heleveticus
Family: Lygaeidae

 Nysius is a difficult genus and most of the seven UK species are very difficult to identify without reference to a specimen.

N. helveticus is the easiest species to recognise and has a diagnostic long pale keel on the scutellum. The antennae are dark.

A very scarce species associated with lowland heathland in Surrey, Hampshire and Dorset, where it favours recently disturbed areas and is associated with bell heather Erica cinerea.

Adult: ~All year
Length 5.0-5.5 mm
 Nysius helveticus
Adult: Surrey (September 2010) ©Tristan Bantock
Nysius helveticus Nysius helveticus
Adults: Surrey (September 2010) ©Tristan Bantock

 Adult: Surrey (July 2011) ©Tristan Bantock