Nysius huttoni (White), a member of the Ground Bugs or Lygaeidae was found at North Warren in September 2007. This was the first specimen to be found in U.K. See colour photograph on p. 18. The ground bugs are a large family of mainly seedeaters, although some are partly predatory, that are usually ground-living, often in sandy areas.

N. huttoni is about 3.5mm long. What separates it from its congeners is the erect pubescence (hairiness) that is on the thorax, scutellum and the hemielytra. I found it to be very abundant in the original locality this May (2008), and also managed to find it at Minsmere, Sizewell and Southwold. I observed many copulating pairs and nymphs, suggesting a viable colony at North Warren.

Its habitat seems to be fairly specific in that at all sites it frequents sparsely vegetated areas with Sheep’s Sorrel. An inhabitant of New Zealand, the bug, prior to this find, had been found at several sites in the low countries.

I am carrying out further research on the species and a full report will appear in next year’s Suffolk Natural History (Transactions of the SNS).

I should appreciate more records and would be glad to identify any specimens sent to me.

I am grateful to RSPB North Warren and RSPB Minsmere for their assistance.

Nigel Cuming
Heteroptera Recorder
33 Holly Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 5QL

Specimens may also be sent c/o
Martin Sanford, Suffolk Biological Records Centre, Ipswich Museum High Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3QH

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SPECIES NAME
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LOCATION
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DATE
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NAME
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