A medium-sized species (7-9mm) which is brown in colour with a strong bronze sheen, similar to the Bronze Shieldbug. Its antennae are uniform dark brown in colour and the legs have pale cream-yellow bands, which help distinguish it from other species. Nymphs are smaller with cream/grey colouration on the abdomen.
Distribution in Ireland: Widely distributed but highly localised and likely under-recorded. Few or no records exist for much of the midlands, west and northwest, although this may reflect sampling efforts as there is plenty of available habitat in these regions.
Habitat: Strongly associated with areas of heather growth, particularly raised bogs, cutover bogs and dry heath.
Habits: A carnivorous species, with both larvae and adults feeding on the Heather Beetle (Lochmaea suturalis). It is typically found on heather bushes, particularly Ling (Calluna vulgaris) and Bell Heather (Erica cinerea). It seems to prefer more vigorous heather growth. It is best searched for by beating or sweeping heather bushes, as its habitat is often quite extensive and it is rarely numerous enough to be reliably found by visual searching alone. Its overwintering habits are unknown in Ireland, but it possibly uses the leaflitter layer of bogs and heaths. I have spent hours sweeping heathers during the winter and have never found it, even at small, known sites.
