Poplar Gall Bug - Anthocoris minki

Ground colour reddish-brown.  Antennae reddish brown with spots and at least the basal half of ant2 lighter, and also frequently the base of ant3 and ant4.  Pronotum brownish, darkened in its basal region; scutellum darker, black.  Hemelytra with very short yellowish pubescence; dull clavus, shiny exocoria, shiny endocoria behind, progressively duller in front. Shiny cuneus, the outer edges of which are reddish or brown.  Legs yellowish to russet, the tibiae sometimes partially darkened.  Paramere of male with a small anteapical tooth, the proximal edge of this tooth extending outside the arc of the inner edge.

Extremely difficult to identify unless found within Poplar galls. Ideally confirmed by dissection of male paramere. 

On Poplar trees, especially Lombardy Poplar, Populus nigra var. Italica. 

Summer, as Poplar galls mature. 

Larvae and adults predate Pemphigus aphids which cause spiral petiole galls on Poplar. The Anthocoris larvae develop within the galls.

Status in Britain not known.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.