Species Account for Eurygaster maura
PLEASE NOTE, many records in this group are not yet available
Eurygaster maura (Linnaeus, 1758)
Scarce Tortoise Shieldbug
Heteroptera: Scutelleridae
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Taxonomic group: true bugs (Heteroptera) - Available county data
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Adult: Very scarce / difficult species, voucher specimen may be required
Status: NS
Essex RDB: Listed
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Essex Red Data List comment
Until recently its occurrence in Essex was not confirmed, but it has now been found at a number of sites in south Essex.
Species text
Old Essex records (Harwood 1903, Massee 1955) of E. maura are believed to be errors for the more common E. testudinaria, which for many years was not recognised as a separate species and with which confusion remains common. E. maura is largely confined to the chalk downs of Kent, Surrey, and Hampshire (P. Kirby in Essex Red Data list at www.essexfieldclub.org.uk). Its occurrence in Essex on the chalk in Thurrock was only definitely established by the records from Anchor Field, West Thurrock PFA North Lagoon, both confirmed by Dr Peter Kirby, Corys Wharf at Purfleet, now destroyed for development and Blackshots Nature Area in Grays. There are now more widely distributed records from dry grassland areas at other sites in the south Essex region close to the Thames. References
Habitats
Recorded management for locations with Eurygaster maura
Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Eurygaster maura
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Interpretation of distribution maps