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Nabis rugosus Common Damsel Bug
Family: Nabidae

Widespread in grassy habitats, and probably the commonest British nabid, N. rugosus is yellow-brown in colour, with rather pale forewings. The maximum width and length of the pronotum are very similar (width : length = 1.6 : 1.5).

This species is almost always brachypterous, the forewings reaching the end of the abdomen, or stopping just short of it. Macropterous (fully-winged) specimens are much rarer, and may be confused with N. ferus, and particularly N. pseudoferus.

The length of the 2nd antennal segment is greater than the maximum width of the pronotum, further separating this species from N. ericetorum and also N. brevis, a much scarcer species confined to bogs and wet areas of heathland. N. brevis also has distinct dark areas on the anterior femora, in addition to the pattern of dots and lines.

Adults overwinter, mating and egg-laying taking place in the spring. Larvae may be found June-September; the new generation of adults is complete from August onwards. 


Adult: All year
Length 6.5-7.5 mm

Nabis rugosus Common Damsel Bug
Adult female: north London (May 2007) ©Tristan Bantock

Nabis rugosus Common Damsel Bug Nabis rugosus Common Damsel Bug
Adult female: west London (May 2008) ©Tristan Bantock

Adult female: north London (May 2007) ©Tristan Bantock

Nabis rugosus Common Damsel Bug Nabis rugosus Common Damsel Bug
Adult male: north London (May 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
Adult macropter: south Wales (May 2009) ©Barry Stewart

Nabis rugosus Common Damsel Bug nymph
Nymph: north Wales (June 2008) ©Tristan Bantock