Common Nettle Bug - Liocoris tripustulatus

Length 4-5 mm. A variable but distinctive species, the colour of the scutellum and cuneus ranges from cream to deep yellow and the pale legs are striped with black rings. Short dark spines are present on the tibiae. Head width = 1/2 pronotum width, length of 2nd antennal segment > head width. Variation in colour is strongly related to age.

Anywhere that Nettles (the foodplant for all life stages) are to be found.

Adult: all year

On spring emergence following hibernation, the ground colour is typically darker and the cuneus more orange-yellow. Following mating, females may survive until the new generation of adults appears in mid-summer, which is generally paler and less intensely marked.

Common throughout Britain

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.