About Micrelytra fossularum (Rossi, 1790)
Micrelytra fossularum can reach a length of about 10–12 millimetres (0.39–0.47 in). It has a slender body with significant thickening in the abdomen, and quite thin legs. Its basic body color is brown or yellowish, with two white lateral lines running along the abdomen. The head is broad, with a length and width similar to that of the pronotum and the scutellum. Its compound eyes are globular and protruding. The antennal segments are alternately black and white, but the final segment is red, elongated, and curved. The hemelytra are greatly reduced, a trait that gives the genus its name, and feature a thin white line around the outside edge. These vestigial wings render this bug incapable of flight. Females are larger than males. This species occurs in Mediterranean regions, and is mainly found in Albania, Belgium, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and former Yugoslavia. It prefers xerophytic meadows.
