About Thyreocoris scarabaeoides (Linnaeus, 1758)
Thyreocoris scarabaeoides is a species of shield bug native to Europe. Adults of this species are small, measuring 3 to 4 millimeters in length, with an almost round body shape and a dark bronzy coloration. Their body surface is shiny, hairless, and heavily marked with punctures. Their antennae are piceous in color, and the scutellum does not fully cover the corium and membrane of the wings. The legs are black, with spiny tibiae and piceous tarsi. Both nymphs and adults feed primarily on plants in the Viola genus, commonly called violets, and individuals can be found on the ground beneath a variety of other plant species. Young nymphs live in grouped aggregations early in development. This species overwinters beneath dry leaf and needle litter, under stones, or within patches of moss. Mating begins in April, and most egg laying occurs during May and June. Adults of the new generation emerge starting in late July or August. This species produces only one generation per year.
