Appearance
Stagonomus venustissimus can reach a length of 5-7 millimetres. These small bugs have a greenish-grey body. The head and the pronotum are copper coloured. They have a bronze-purple triangular stain at the base of the scutellum. The connexivum has black and white markings. The legs are whitish with black spots
Naming
The species was first named by Fabricius as Cimex melanocephalus. However this name had already been used by Linnaeus for the mirid bug now known as Phylus melanocephalus. At the time, the genus ''Cimex'' encompassed the entirety of the Heteroptera.The replacement name Eysarcoris fabricii given by Kirkaldy in 1904 was used for many years, but Rider pointed out the name venustissimus given by Schrank to what he called Eysarcoris venustissimus, "Schönste Wanze", most beautiful bug.
This species has been recently transferred to the genus Stagonomus, so the currently valid name is Stagonomus venustissimus.
Distribution
This species can be found in most of Europe.
Behavior
Stagonomus venustissmus is a univoltine species. The nymphs are visible from late June to October, while the new generation of adults appear from August through the following July.The nymphs feed on hedge woundwort, particularly the seeds, and on various Lamiaceae species, especially on white dead-nettle.
References:
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Roca-Cusachs, M.; Jung, S. (2019) Redefining Stagonomus Gorski based on morphological and molecular data (Pentatomidae: Eysarcorini). - Zootaxa, vol. 4658(2), pp.368-374.Rider, D.A. (2006) Pentatomidae. In Aukema & Rieger (eds.). Catalogue of the Heteroptera of the Palaearctic Region, vol. 5: Pentatomomorpha II. Amsterdam: Netherlands Entomological Society. ISBN 9789071912283.
