| Stagonomus venustissimus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Adult of Stagonomus venustissimus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Suborder: | Heteroptera |
| Family: | Pentatomidae |
| Genus: | Stagonomus |
| Species: | S. venustissimus |
| Binomial name | |
| Stagonomus venustissimus (Schrank, 1776) | |
| Synonyms | |
List
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Stagonomus venustissimus, common name woundwort shieldbug, is a species of shieldbug belonging to the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Pentatominae.
The species was first named by Fabricius as Cimex melanocephalus. [1] 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 (1998) [2] pointed out the seniority of the name venustissimus, given by Schrank in 1776 (Schönste Wanze, most beautiful bug). [3]
This species has been recently transferred to the genus Stagonomus , so the correct name is Stagonomus venustissimus (Schrank, 1776). [4]
Stagonomus venustissimus can reach a length of 5–7 millimetres (0.20–0.28 in). 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 [7]
Stagonomus venustissimus is a univoltine species. The larvae are visible from late June to October, while the new generation of adults appear from August through the following July. [8]
The nymphs feed on hedge woundwort ( Stachys sylvatica ), particularly the seeds, and on Lamiaceae species, especially on white dead-nettle ( Lamium album ). [7]
