Sloe Bug vs Tarnished Plant Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sloe Bug | Tarnished Plant Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dolycoris baccarum | Lygus lineolaris |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Pentatomidae | Miridae |
| Size | 10-12 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Farmland |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Sloe Bug
A medium-sized, purplish-brown shield bug with distinctive black and white banded antennae and a hairy body. It is common across Europe and feeds on a wide range of plants including sloe, hawthorn, and raspberry. The body has a dense covering of fine hairs.
Did You Know?
It is one of the hairiest shield bugs in Europe, covered in a dense fur of fine hairs that gives it a distinctly fuzzy appearance under magnification.
Tarnished Plant Bug
A small, mottled brown and green plant bug that is one of the most damaging agricultural pests in North America. It feeds on over 300 plant species, causing distorted growth and blemished fruits. The adults are strong fliers that readily colonize new fields.
Did You Know?
Its feeding injects a toxin that destroys plant cells around the feeding site, causing the characteristic dimpled, scarred appearance on strawberries known as 'catfacing.'