Outbreak and first record of Oxycarenus lavaterae (Fabricius, 1787) (Heteroptera, Lygaeidae) in Northern Switzerland
Wermelinger, B.; Wyniger, D.; Forster, B.
Mitteilungen der Schweizerischen Entomologischen Gesellschaft 78(3-4): 311-316
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7575 Accession: 004457393
During the 2004/05 autumn and winter seasons, an outbreak of the Mediterranean bug, Oxycarenus lavaterae, was observed on linden (Tilia) trees in the city of Basel, in northern Switzerland. While this bug has been known for a long time in southern Switzerland, this is thought to be the first record north of the Alps in Switzerland. The bugs overwintered in large colonies (up to one metre in length) on trunks and branches of the trees and, in autumn, they even posed a transient nuisance to people by crowding on park benches and walls of buildings. The distribution, biology and significance of O. lavaterae are discussed.