Small World Discoveries

HEMIPTERA > HETEROPTERA > CIMICOMORPHA > Nabidae

The delicate-sounding common name Damsel Bugs is somewhat misleading as all the members of this family are aggressive predators of various small insects and spiders. They are long-legged, often short-winged and flightless bugs that typically occur on the ground or on low vegetation. Only Himacerus apterus is known for living on taller shrubs or trees.

There are around a dozen species on the British List although at least one of those is confirmed extinct and, on taking a closer look, it appears that only ten are normally considered; four in the genus Himacerus and six in Nabis. A couple have localised distribution, but the remainder are all regarded as reasonably common and widespread to varying degrees. I've currently managed to photograph five of the nine or ten species that I should be able to find locally.

The Tree Damsel Bug [Himacerus apterus] averages slightly larger than the other species at 8-11mm, and is the only tree-dwelling member of the family. It has a reddish-brown colour and a black connexivum with orange-red spots. The forewings are short not reaching beyond abdominal segments S3 or S4, and the membrane rarely reaching the tip of the abdomen. The antennae are long and if held back over the body would reach the end of the wings. This particular species also has noticeably long hairs on the hind tibiae that are almost twice the width of the tibia itself. It is most likely to be confused with the smaller Ant Damsel Bug [Himacerus mirmicoides], which is typically around 7-8mm with forewings that are a little longer, normally reaching S4 or S5, and antennae that are a fair bit shorter. Both species have banded femora and tibiae. Although Himacerus mirmicoides is mostly partly-winged, macropterous (longer winged) forms do occasionally occur. The early instar nymphs have an ant-like appearance, hence the common name.

The Marsh Damsel Bug [Nabis limbatus] is a pale brown species with dark longitudinal lines or bands down the centre of its broad body, and spotted legs. It's a micropterous species with very short forewings that do not even extend to the end of S3, which are a fair bit shorter than in the similar Broad Damsel Bug [Nabis flavomarginatus]. The damp areas that this species prefers may also be inhabited by the far less common and localised Reed Damsel Bug [Nabis lineatus], but can be distinguished by being smaller with a wider connexivum giving it a less elongate appearance. In this respect though, it should be noted that female damsel bugs always appear larger and broader than males, so identification of species based on size alone is not advised.  

The Heath Damsel Bug [Nabis ericetorum] has brown forewings and a dark reddish-coloured abdomen. In most cases the wings do not quite reach the end of the abdomen, however longer winged forms are not uncommon. Lighter coloured individuals could possibly be confused with the Common Damsel Bug [Nabis rugosus] as that species has similar proportions and wing length, but the two can be distinguished by the length of the 2nd antennal segment. It's marginal, but in Nabis ericetorum the length of this segment is roughly equal to the maximum width of the pronotum, whereas in Nabis rugosus it is distinctly longer albeit not by much.