Himacerus apterus, commonly known as the tree damsel bug, is a species of true bug in the family Nabidae (damsel bugs), subfamily Nabinae.
Taxonomy The species was originally described as Reduvius apterus by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1798. It belongs to the genus Himacerus within the family Nabidae, infraorder Cimicomorpha, order Hemiptera.
Description Adults measure 8–10.5 mm (males) and 9–11.5 mm (females). They are characterized by a black connexivum (the exposed lateral margin of the abdomen) with orange-red spots, and reddish-brown wings. The species is normally micropterous (short-winged), with wings not reaching beyond the third or fourth abdominal segment. The antennae are notably long, at least as long as the combined length of the thorax and abdomen.
Distribution Himacerus apterus is found across most of Europe and extends into southern and central Asia. It was introduced to North America, with the earliest recorded occurrence in eastern Nova Scotia between 1943 and 1989. It is common in much of England and Wales, becoming scarcer further north.
Habitat and Ecology Unlike most other British nabids, this species is tree-dwelling, found primarily on deciduous trees and less frequently on conifers. It is a predatory insect, feeding on mites, aphids, and other small insects. Adults lay eggs in late summer on plant stems; the eggs hatch the following spring. Larvae (nymphs) are found from May to August, and the new adult generation is complete from July onward. Adults are active from July to October. The species is diurnal and has hemimetabolous development (incomplete metamorphosis).
Common Names
- English: Tree Damsel Bug
- Dutch: Boomsikkelwants
- Danish: Stor nymfetæge
- Finnish: Pensaspeitsilude
