THE SQUASH BUG COREUS MARGINATUS IN WORCESTERSHIRE

John Meiklejohn

This large bug is said to be restricted to the southern half of England and Wales being quite common in the southern counties. It is found in Worcestershire with more records from the South than from the North of the county. The common name derives from it being a pest on squash crops in North America. In Britain it is found in a wide range of reasonably open habitats where it feeds on docks, knotweeds, sorrel and Persicarias. Later in the year the adults can be found feeding on blackberries and other seed heads before going into hibernation.

Does the northern boundary of its distribution in Britain pass through Worcestershire? We need more records to find out so please keep a look out for this bug and send your records to me at the WBRC office.

The adult bug is red-brown in colour, often very dark, 14-15 mms long and looking like a large Shield Bug. On the head between the bases of the antennae there are two small but distinct horns. The antennae have only four segments, the Shield Bugs have five.

Coreus marginatus.
Actual size 14 mms from front of head (excluding antennae) to rear tip of abdomen
Coreus marginatus
Showing the two projections between the antennae (see text). Photo J W Meiklejohn
Coreus marginatus
Map showing all records currently held in WBRC (1 km squares resolution)
Prepared by J Partridge from Recorder 3.3 using DMap.

 

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