Zygina (Hypericiella) hyperici (Herrich-Schäffer 1836)

Male

Genotype: This species is sexually dimorphic: Males are yellow with a black spot/mark at the apex of the scutellum. Females are yellow with broad dark red mark running longitudialy down the centre of the dorsal surface stoping short of the apicical wing cells and covering the majority of the scutellum and clavus. Tenerals appear all whitetish in males, also applicable to females but showing the red as light grey.

Size: <3 mm often down to 2 mm.

Distribution: Nationally local, abundant where found. County; NBN Gateway show no records for this species from 1600 to 2013. However they have been recorded just over the VC53 boarder with Yorkshire. My record for VC53 was taken in 2010, I have not seen them since, it now being 2013.

My thought on its distribution based on the NBN Gateway data is that is a rare species.

Phenology: July to September

Host: Found on St. John's wort, Hypericum perforatum

Photographer: Talbot, Michael. Publisher: Talbot, Michael.