Leptopterna dolabrata

Distinguished from the co-occurring Leptopterna ferrugata by antennal hair characteristics and the length of the second antennal segment. The combination of pale yellow to red-orange coloration with black longitudinal markings, long antennae with dark hairs, and wing dimorphism (macropterous males, brachypterous females) aids identification.

Elongate body, 8.3–9.8 mm in length. Adults are pale yellow to red-orange, darkening with age. Black longitudinal markings present on head, thorax, and abdomen. Legs and antennae covered with dark hairs. Antennae are long. Sexual dimorphism in wing development: males always macropterous (long-winged), females mostly brachypterous (short-winged).

Meadows and grassy places. Prefers moist conditions.

Native across Europe from the southern coast of England to the Outer Hebrides, extending east through Asia Minor to Kazakhstan, West Siberia, and the Caspian Sea region. Adventive in North America, with established populations in eastern and western regions including Canada (Newfoundland, Ontario, Quebec) and the United States (Alabama, Georgia, New York, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin).

In the UK, eggs hatch beginning in May; adults occur from June onwards, most frequently seen in June and July.

Feeds on developing grass seeds. Known hosts include Phleum pratense (timothy), Elymus repens (couch grass), Alopecurus pratensis (meadow foxtail), Dactylis glomerata (cocksfoot), and Holcus lanatus (Yorkshire fog).

• Phleum pratense - hosttimothy grass
• Elymus repens - hostcouch grass
• Alopecurus pratensis - hostmeadow foxtail
• Dactylis glomerata - hostcocksfoot
• Holcus lanatus - hostYorkshire fog

Eggs are laid in the lower part of stems of host grasses. Eggs overwinter and undergo obligatory diapause. In the UK, hatching begins in May. Adults appear from June onwards.

Herbivore specializing on grass seeds. Suspected vector of silvertop disease of grasses (causal agent Fusarium poae), though direct transfer remains to be demonstrated.

Regarded as a pest wherever grass is grown for seed, causing seed heads to shrivel and prematurely whiten. Occasional pest of cereal crops including corn (maize), rye, and wheat.

• Leptopterna ferrugataCo-occurs in range; distinguished by antennal hair characteristics and second antennal segment length

• grass pest
• adventive species
• sexual dimorphism
• seed predator
• agricultural pest

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• The genome sequence of the meadow plant bug, Leptopterna dolabrata (Linnaeus, 1758).