Increase in Distribution of Deraeocoris olivaceus

Abstract

THE study of animal introductions and their fate provides an object lesson in ecology¹. Some, as the leafhopper Graphocephala coccinea, become permanent elements of the British fauna; others, as the tingid Stephanitis rhododendri, achieve an initial spread but later contract; still others, such as the rhopalid Liorhyssus hyalinus, can do no more than maintain an occasional very temporary colony in Britain. The present communication concerns a conspicuous mirid bug, Deraeocoris olivaceus, which it is timely to map after a space of ten years. It occurs on Crataegus (hawthorn), usually becomes adult during July, and is collected by beating; its biology is known in broad outline².