Pest of the Month - Heterogaster Urticae
- PGM & SON Pest Control
- Apr 21, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 hours ago
The PGM pest of the month is the Nettle Ground Bug, aka (Heterogaster Urticae), which we located recently in the roof of a block of flats.
The specimen we found had alternating light and dark bands on the legs and borders of the abdomen, with long, erect, hairs on the head and pronotum and two dark spots on the wings, with the rostrum reaching to the middle coxae.
There are similar species it could be confused with such as the Mirid bug but our RSPH pest expert, Phil Martin, confirmed it to be a Nettle Ground Bug.
These bugs are usually found in open habitats on nettles, the host plant, so it was quite a surprise to find it where we did!
Nettle Groundbugs are not an invasive pest so that was good news all ‘round!
FAQs about the Ground Nettle Bug (Heterogaster urticae)
What is a Ground Nettle Bug (Heterogaster urticae)?
The Ground Nettle Bug is a small seed bug that feeds mainly on nettle plants. It belongs to the Lygaeidae family and is often found in grassy areas, gardens, and around stinging nettles. It is harmless to humans and is considered a plant-feeding insect rather than a structural pest.
Are Ground Nettle Bugs harmful to people or pets?
No, Ground Nettle Bugs are not dangerous to humans or pets. They do not bite, sting, or spread disease. They are nuisance insects at most and are typically only noticed when they appear in larger numbers near buildings or vegetation.
Why are Ground Nettle Bugs appearing near my building or garden?
They are usually attracted to areas where nettles and seed-producing plants are growing. If nettles or dense weeds are nearby, the bugs may gather to feed and breed. Removing host plants and reducing weeds typically reduces their presence.
Did you know PGM & Son Pest Control offer an insect identification service?
Collect your specimen and give us a call to identify it for you! - call us on 01981 540088 or submit photos for our resident pest biologst on our Insect identification service page, or email contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk
Our Insect Identification Service
Are you dealing with pest problems in your home or garden in Herefordshire or Worcestershire? Let our expert insect identification service help you identify the culprits and find effective solutions.
Our service is designed to provide fast and accurate identification of a wide range of insect species, including ants, bees, wasps, carpet beetles, cluster flies, and much more.
If you have an unknown insect in your commercial business that needs professional identification, get in touch via our insect control service.
