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Prostemma guttula
Family: Nabidae

An unmistakeable shining black species, with short red wings and red legs. Macropterous forms have largely red forewings, with a dark mark at the apex of the clavus and a white spot on the cuneus. They never been recorded in Britain.

Historically an extreme rarity, this species was not seen in Britain since the nineteenth century until 2019, when a population was discovered at a site in Kent. P. guttula favours dry, early-successional habitats and feeds mainly on the
nymphs of various lygaeids.

Adult: All year
Length 7-10 mm

Prostemma guttula
Adult: Corfu (May 2014) ©Tristan Bantock

Prostemma guttula Prostemma guttula
Adult: Jersey (March 2015) ©Tim Ransom

Nymph Jersey (July 2020) ©Simon Robson