Closterotomus trivialis

Closterotomus trivialis is a species of plant bugs belonging to the family Miridae, subfamily Mirinae.

Distribution

This species is mainly found in Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain and Yugoslavia.

Description

Closterotomus trivialis can reach a length of. The color of the body is quite variable. In the females the body is usually yellow and green in color, with a yellow green head. Males may be red and black. Pronotum usually shows two central and two lateral black spots.

Biology

In the Mediterranean basin Closterotomus trivialis has been reported as a serious pest of olive and citrus crops. This species has a single annual generation on citrus and overwinters in the egg stage in bark cracks. Females oviposit their eggs at the end of spring. Eggs hatch in late winter to early spring and larvae feed on understorey weeds, mainly on Urtica species and Parietaria officinalis , Urticaceae being the main hosts. The adults feed on buds and young flowers of olives.