Mirid Bug: Harpocera thoracica Harpocera thoracica

Harpocera thoracica is one of several similar-looking mirid bugs in the UK. The female, shown, is reddish brown, lighter than the male, and has a black neck, black lower back thighs and black feet.

The underside (not shown) is bright pink.

Above is a different species and probably a different genus. No white point to the shield, brown tips to wingcases and dark but not black back thighs with white knees and light feet.

CAVEAT: There are several very similar bugs in the genera Lygus, Orthops, Pinalitus, Monosynamma, Harpocera and others, with slight variations of abdomen/leg/thigh colour, back pattern/colour, antennae segment lengths and other traits. My identification of the above has not been verified by an expert.

Links:

Lygus pratensis