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Rhopalus subrufus
Family: Rhopalidae
Key to the Rhopalidae of Central Europe (German)

This genus comprises four species in the UK; all are rather hairy bugs with largely membranous forewings, which are usually reddish in colour. R. subrufus can be distinguished by the alternate dark and light bands on the connexivum, and the whitish tip to the scutellum which ends in two points (bifid); see below. 

Widely distributed in southern Britain, this species is often found on low vegetation in scrubby areas and woodland clearings. It is associated with many plants, particularly St John's wort (Hypericum), and overwinters as an adult, the new generation appearing in August.

Compare R. maculatus, R. parumpunctatus

Adult: All year
Length 7-7.5 mm		 Rhopalus subrufus
Adult: Berks (April 2009) ©Jonathan Michaelson
Rhopalus subrufus Rhopalus subrufus
Adult detail: north London (May 2008) ©Tristan Bantock

 		Adult: north London (May 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
Rhopalus subrufus Rhopalus subrufus
Adult: north London (May 2007) ©Tristan Bantock

 Adult: Sussex (July 2008) ©Andy Phillips
Rhopalus subrufus nymph Rhopalus subrufus teneral
Nymph: Surrey (July 2009) ©Tristan Bantock

 		Adult teneral: Kent (August 2009) ©John Jeffery