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Common flowerbug

Common flowerbug
Adult of Anthocoris nemorum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Kingd
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Family: Anthocoridae
Genus: Anthocoris
Species: A. nemorum
Binomial name
Anthocoris nemorum

(Linnaeus, 1761)

Introduction:

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Anthocoris nemorum was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1761 in his Systema Naturae. It is commonly known as minute pity bugs or common flower bugs, It is a small predatory insect in the family Anthocoridae. Anthocoris nemorum is widely distributed across Europe and parts of Asia, extending into temperate regions of North America. Adults measure 3-4 mm and are recognized for their elongated bodies and reflective forewings. The species is valued in agriculture as a natural enemy of Aphid, Psyllid, Thrips, mites, and small caterpillars, making it an important component of Integrated pest management (IPM) programs. A. nemorum thrives in diverse habitats, including hedgerows, forests, orchards, and vegetable crops, and its ability to overwinter in bark and leaf litter ensures persistence across seasons. By reducing reliance on chemical pesticides, this generalist predator contributes to sustainable crop protection and ecological balance. It is considered beneficial in agriculture due to its role in controlling aphid populations Biological pest control.[1].

  • Description:

Adult Morphology: Adults measure 3-4 mm in length, with elongated flat bodies, reflective forewings, and a black pronotum. The pronotum is glossy black, contrasting with lighter wing membranes. Antennae are slender and segmented, aiding in prey detection, while long legs allow rapid movement across foliage. Mouthparts are piercing-sucking and adapted for feeding on soft-bodied insects [1][2].

Nymph Morphology: Nymphs are teardrop-shaped, wingless, and range in color from pale yellow-orange in early instars to brown in later stages. They are mobile predators even before reaching adulthood, actively hunting aphids and other small arthropods [3][4].

  • Distribution and Habitat:

It is common in Great Britain and Ireland and occurs at elevations up to 2000 m in the Alps. The species thrives in diverse habitats, ranging from hedgerows and deciduous forests to agricultural landscapes. In orchards, A. nemorum is frequently observed on apple and pear trees, where its ovipositor preferences align with high prey availability [4]. In cabbage fields, it contributes to pest suppression by preying on cabbage aphids and diamondback moth larvae, demonstrating its adaptability to vegetable crops [2]. The species has also been documented in strawberry crops, where generalist predators such as A. nemorum contribute to the control of Spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) [3]. Prefers lower moist vegetation, especially nettles later in the growing season.

  • Biology:

Life Cycle: Eggs are laid inside leaf tissues, often in groups of 2-8. Larvae hatch light reddish-brown and develop into adults over several weeks. Adults overwinter beneath bark or leaf litter, which allows populations to persist across seasons [5]

  • Diet:

Anthocoris nemorum feeds on Aphids, psyllid, mites, and small caterpillars, making it a generalist predator.[1]. Its broad prey spectrum underpins its importance in orchards and crop systems, where it contributes to the suppression of economically significant pests [2]

  • Behaviour:

Anthocoris nemorum is an efficient predator of small arthropods, particularly aphids and Thrips, which makes it an important contributor to pest suppression in agricultural systems [1]. Laboratory and field studies have demonstrated that predation rates vary with temperature, with higher activity observed under warmer conditions[2]. This species also exhibits adaptive responses to pathogens. For example, individuals can detect and avoid surfaces contaminated with the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, thereby reducing mortality risk[6]. Although primarily beneficial, A. nemorum occasionally interacts with humans. Adults may bite when handled, producing a painful but harmless reaction.

Females have a specialized that allows eggs to be laid inside plant tissues which protect them from desiccation and predation.Oviposition behaviour is closely tied to host plants. Females show preferences for laying eggs on apple and pear trees, which aligns with their role in orchard pest management (Ovipositor)[4]. Habitat and prey preferences vary among related species, but A. nemorum is consistently associated with environments rich in aphid populations[5]. The species also exhibits behavioural physiology such as prey switching, which ensures feeding efficiency when preferred prey are scarce.

  • Agricultural importance:

- Anthocoris nemorum is widely recognized as a beneficial predator in agricultural systems, where it contributes to the suppression of pest populations such as aphids, psyllid, thrips, mites, and small caterpillars. Its generalist feeding habits allow it to adapt to different prey depending on availability, making it a reliable component of Integrated pest management (IPM) programs[1].

In an orchard systems, A. nemorum has been shown to reduce populations of pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyri), a major pest of pear trees, highlighting its role in fruit production.[4] . In cabbage crops, it preys on cabbage aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae) and Diamondback mothlarvae (Plutella xylostella), demonstrating its effectiveness in suppressing multiple pest species [2]

Environmental factors such as temperature strongly influence predation rates, with warmer conditions increasing feeding efficiency [2]. Additionally, A. nemorum can detect and avoid fungal pathogens such as Beauveria bassiana, which enhances its survival and long-term effectiveness as a biological control agent [6].

Habitat and prey preferences vary among Anthocoris species, but A. nemorum is consistently associated with environments rich in aphid populations, reinforcing its value in crop protection [5]. By reducing reliance on chemical pesticides, the use of A. nemorum in IPM supports sustainable agriculture and minimizes environmental impact. Its ability to overwinter in bark and leaf litter ensures persistence across seasons, providing long-term pest control in managed ecosystems.

  • References
    • An, Y.; Braga, M. P.; Garcia, S. L.; Grudzinska‑Sterno, M.; Hambäck, P. A. (2023). Host phylogeny structures the gut bacterial community within Galerucella leaf beetles. Microbial Ecology. 86: 2477–2487. doi:10.1007/s00248-023-02251-5.
    • An, Y.; Garcia, S. L.; Hambäck, P. A. (2024). Microbial transfer through fecal strings on eggs affects leaf beetle microbiome dynamics. mSystems. 9 (1): e01723‑24. doi:10.1128/msystems.01723-24.
    • Ayres, M. P.; MacLean, S. F. Jr. (1987). Molt as a component of insect development: Galerucella sagittariae and Epirrita autumnata. Oikos. 48 (3): 273–279. JSTOR 3565514.
    • Dixon, A. F. G.; Russell, R. J. (1972). Effectiveness of Anthocoris nemorum and A. confusus as predators of the sycamore aphid. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 15 (3): 297–302. doi:10.1111/j.1570-7458.1972.tb00259.x.
    • Meyling, N. V.; Pell, J. K. (2006). Detection and avoidance of an entomopathogenic fungus by a generalist insect predator. Ecological Entomology. 31 (2): 162–171. doi:10.1111/j.0307-6946.2006.00781.x.
    • Simonsen, M.-L. R.; Enkegaard, A.; Bang, C. N.; Sigsgaard, L. (2009). Temperature effect on the predation rate of Anthocoris nemorum on cabbage aphids. Journal of Applied Entomology. 133 (3): 198–200. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0418.2008.01334.x.
    • Sigsgaard, L. (2006). Oviposition preference of Anthocoris nemorum and A. nemoralis for apple and pear. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 118 (2): 135–140. doi:10.1111/j.1570-7458.2006.00373.x.
    • Sigsgaard, L. (2010). Habitat and prey preferences of the two predatory bugs Anthocoris nemorum and A. nemoralis. Biological Control. 53 (3): 344–354. doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2009.11.005.
    • Stephan, J. G.; Low, M.; Stenberg, J. A.; Björkman, C. (2016). Predator hunting mode and host plant quality shape attack‑abatement patterns of predation risk in an insect herbivore. Ecosphere. 7 (11): e01541. doi:10.1002/ecs2.1541.
    • Verschut, T. A.; Hambäck, P. A. (2018). A random survival forest illustrates the importance of natural enemies compared to host plant quality on leaf beetle survival rates. BMC Ecology. 18: 33. doi:10.1186/s12898-018-0187-7.
    • Jacobsen, S. K.; Sigsgaard, L. (2019). Generalist predator contributions to the control of Tetranychus urticae in strawberry crops. Experimental and Applied Acarology. 79: 123–135. doi:10.1007/s10493-019-00351-x.
  1. ^ a b c d e •   Dixon, A. F. G., & Russell, R. J. (1972). Effectiveness of Anthocoris nemorum and A. confusus as predators of the sycamore aphid. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 15(3), 297–302.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1570-7458.1972.tb00259.x
  2. ^ a b c d e f Simonsen, M.‐L. R.; Enkegaard, A.; Bang, C. N.; Sigsgaard, L. (2009-03-02). "Temperature effect on the predation rate of Anthocoris nemorum (Het.: Anthocoridae) on cabbage aphids (Hom.: Aphididae)". Journal of Applied Entomology. 133 (3): 198–200. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0418.2008.01327.x. ISSN 0931-2048.
  3. ^ a b Jacobsen, Stine Kramer; Sigsgaard, Lene; Hansen, Kristian; Harwood, James D.; Chapman, Eric G.; Hurtado, Mónica A.; Jensen, Annette B. (2019-02). "Generalist predator contributions to the control of Tetranychus urticae in strawberry crops documented by PCR-based gut content analysis". Experimental and Applied Acarology. 77 (2): 133–143. doi:10.1007/s10493-019-00351-x. ISSN 0168-8162. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b c d Sigsgaard, Lene (2004-05-28). "Oviposition preference of Anthocoris nemorum and A. nemoralis for apple and pear". Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 111 (3): 215–223. doi:10.1111/j.0013-8703.2004.00168.x. ISSN 0013-8703.
  5. ^ a b c Sigsgaard, L. (2010). Habitat and prey preferences of the two predatory bugs Anthocoris nemorum and A. nemoralis. Biological Control, 53(3), 344– 354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2009.11.005.x  
  6. ^ a b Meyling, Nicolai V.; Pell, Judith K. (2006). "Detection and avoidance of an entomopathogenic fungus by a generalist insect predator". Ecological Entomology. 31 (2): 162–171. doi:10.1111/j.0307-6946.2006.00781.x. ISSN 1365-2311.