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Megalonotus dilatatus
Family: Lygaeidae

Megalonotus species are medium-sized ground bugs in which the pronotum is covered with dense pubescence and is coarsely punctured, particularly across the posterior. The front femora bear a large tooth and several smaller ones.

M. dilatatus is similar to M. chiagra but lacks the long erect hairs on the pronotum and is also on average slightly larger. The tibiae and antennae are always entirely dark.

Although scarce, this species is found widely across southern Britain in mainly sandy heathland and grassland habitats, as well as coastal dunes.

Adult: All year
Length 5.0-6.0 mm
 Megalonotus dilatatus
Adult: Surrey (July 2009) ©Tristan Bantock
Megalonotus dilatatus Megalonotus dilatatus
Adult: Surrey (April 2011) ©Tristan Bantock

 Adult: Surrey (July 2009) ©Tristan Bantock