Small World Discoveries

HEMIPTERA > HETEROPTERA > PENTATOMORPHA > LYGAEOIDEA > Berytidae

This family of nine species are all characterised by their long thin bodies and very long legs with enlarged femora apices giving a 'kneed' appearance. The antennae are also noticeably long, four-segmented and clubbed.

Some are as small as 4mm [Gampsocoris punctipes], the largest 12mm [Neides tipularius].

The most widespread is the Common Stiltbug [Berytinus minor]. It's one of the smaller species at just 5-7mm and is found on various grasslands. The closely related Signoret's Stiltbug [Berytinus signoreti] is also common across much of the country, but with more scattered distribution as it is only found on sandy and chalk grasslands. It's a similar size, and has a short and long-winged form. Both species are pale brown.

The most distinctive is the relatively large, 9-11mm, reddish-brown Enchanter's Stiltbug [Metatropis rufescens], a woodland species that feeds on the leaves of Enchanter's Nightshade. It's found throughout much of the country with the overwintering adults mating in the early summer, and with the new generation complete by August.