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Harpocera thoracica
Family: Miridae

A handsome bug which is very common throughout Britain on oak. The sexes are dimorphic and very different in appearance; males are more elongate in shape, with longer tibiae and a distinctive inflated 2nd antennal segment.

Adults appear in the spring and are short-lived (particularly males), the species spending almost all the year in the egg stage and larval development taking only two weeks. The reddish nymphs are covered in dark hairs and the two basal antennal segments are thickened. Males are attracted to UV light and may be found in moth traps.

Adult: May-June
Length c6 mm

 Harpocera thoracica male
Adult male: Berks (May 2009) ©Jonathan Michaelson
Harpocera thoracica male Harpocera thoracica male
Adult male: north London (April 2008) ©Tristan Bantock

 Adult male: north London (May 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
Harpocera thoracica female Harpocera thoracica female
Adult female: north London (May 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
 Adult female: (May 2007) ©Brian Kilford
Harpocera thoracica nymph Harpocera thoracica nymph
Final instar nymph: Berks (April 2009) ©Jonathan Michaelson

 Final instar nymph: Kent (April 2009) ©John Jeffery