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Rhacognathus punctatus Heather Shieldbug
Family: Pentatomidae

 A dark shieldbug which is mottled metallic bronze-brown over a pale orange/reddish background. The legs are banded pale to orange/red and there is usually a pale midline on the pronotum. A predatory species, feeding mainly on larvae of the Heather Beetle Lochmaea suturalis. The new generation is complete by August.

Largely confined to heathland and moorland, although occasionally recorded from dune slacks and commons in the absence of Calluna. Widley distributed throughout the UK, but always scarce and found at low densities.

Adult: All year
Length 7.0-9.0 mm

see illustrated life stages chart
 Rhacognathus punctatus
Adult: Sussex (April 2010) ©Ashley Wood
Rhacognathus punctatus Rhacognathus punctatus
Adult: (June 2006) ©Steve Gill

 Adult: Lincs (April 2010) ©Adrian Royle
Rhacognathus punctatus Rhacognathus punctatus
Adult: Lincs (July 2007) ©Adrian Royle
Adult: Hants (April 2010) ©Paul Brock
Rhacognathus punctatus Rhacognathus punctatus
Adult: Holland (August 2012) ©Tristan Bantock

 		Nymph: Holland (August 2012) ©Tristan Bantock