Common Green Capsid Lygocoris pabulinus
Even though some bugs are damaging to crops, the number of true noxious bugs is small, certainly in comparison to moths, beetles and plant lice. The Common Green Capsid however is obnoxious in agriculture. Its colour is perfect of course: just like a Granny Smith. It lives on apple trees and other fruit trees for a very short time only. Soon after hatching it changes to gooseberries, potatoes etc. Yet it is most damaging in fruit trees. The reason for this is the fact that the females lay their eggs near the butts of leaves in fruit trees. As usual in leaf bugs, the eggs hatch next spring at about the same time the leave butts start to unfold. The young larvae suck on the developing leaves, which are often not capable to cope. The Common Green Capsid also found its way into green houses, where it prefers to suck on peppers. Reaching some 5 mm quite a small species. Very common in Europe, including all of the British Isles and Ireland. Sucking on potatoes we may encounter a very similar species called the Potatoe Bug, which is characterized by two small black dots behind the head.
