Length
Between 3.5 and 5mm.
Description
Liocoris tripustulatus is a small, ornate bug. The scutellum is decorated with a heart shaped marking. Just like the two spots in the wings and the snout the colouring of the heart is variable: from whitish yellow to deep orange. There also is a more or less visible band running over the body from side to side about halfway. This band often is orange or brownish. Like in many other bugs, the legs are spickled.
The eggs are being laid in April and hatch in May. The larvae are not very similar to their parents, for they are green entirely. The larvae live on Nettle only. They suck on the flowers especially. The first adults are seen in July. They may also been seen on many other plants. It is unclear however whether they also suck on these other plants or on Nettles exclusively. The adults live for a rather long time, for there is only one brood each year. Adult Liocoris tripustulatus overwinter. During this time they hide between leaflitter, behind loose bark or in holes in trees made by wood drilling animals.Before hibernation Adults are pale yelowish brown but by spring are deep chocolate brown with orange spots
Habitat
Ubiquitous in habitat.As long as there's nettle, it will be around. Woods, along woodland margins, gardens, parks, wastelands and in the center of cities. Liocoris tripustulatus can be found all over Europe, the Near and Middle East, Western Asia and the Caucasus. It is common and often abundant species throughout Britain.
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