Birch Catkin Bug

Birch Catkin Bug - Kleidocerys resedae

Description

A small to medium-sized bug, usually associated with birch catkins but often found on other tree species.  It is red-brown or orange-brown in colour, with transparent or translucent corium marked with several black dots in the centre and along the rear margin of the corium, adjacent to the wing membrane.  The corium, clavus and pronotum are punctate.

Similar Species

K. ericae is very similar but slightly smaller and found on heathland, associated with heather; it has not been confirmed as present in VC55.  K privignus or K resedae f. privignus has an unbroken dark border to the corium, and is associated with alder. 

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Good photographs, note habitat and associated tree species

Habitat

Usually on birch

When to see it

Adult: all year.

Life History

Adults overwinter, emerging and breeding in the early spring, when they fly and emit mating calls using a strigil found on one of the hind wing veins. Nymphs occur between March and September and there may be several generations a year.

UK Status

Common (ref: British Heteroptera checklist 2021, on British Bugs website)

VC55 Status

Very common

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured squares = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records