Marsh Damsel Bug
Nabis limbatus
This record describes Nabis limbatus (species). Recorded family: Nabidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Length 7.5 to 9.0 mm. N. limbatus has a broad body and very short wings. This species is always micropterous, and the forewings are shorter than in N. flavomarginatus , covering the 2nd and part of the 3rd abdominal segments only. The similar Reed Damsel Bug ( N. lineatus ) can occur in similar habitats to N. limbatus , but is larger and has a narrower connexivum, giving it a more elongate appearance. Note that male damsel bugs are much more slender than females, so this character must be used with care. Damp grassland, marshy areas and wet meadows. Adults lay eggs in summer which hatch the following spring. Widespread and common throughout the UK.
Wikipedia reference for Nabis limbatus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nabis_limbatus.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
to
Seasonal Activity
Adult: June-October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Adults lay eggs in summer which hatch the following spring.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and common throughout the UK.
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Nabis limbatus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.
Ecological role of the group
Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Marsh Damsel Bug (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Marsh Damsel Bug
What is Marsh Damsel Bug?
Marsh Damsel Bug (Nabis limbatus) is a species in the family Nabidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Marsh Damsel Bug?
7.5 to 9.0 mm.
Where is Marsh Damsel Bug found?
Habitat: to
When is Marsh Damsel Bug active?
Marsh Damsel Bug: seasonal activity - Adult: June-October..
What is the life cycle of a Marsh Damsel Bug?
Adults lay eggs in summer which hatch the following spring.