Psallus betuleti

I have previously caught a few similar blackish Psallus species (perrisi and wagneri) but this one immediately looked different. Pending examination I entered into my database as "large Psallus-type" - clearly the larger size was noticeable enough to make me question whether it was 'just' another perrisi. When I took it through the key and measured it (5mm) the large size did indeed eliminate perrisi, wagneri and in fact all but 3 Psallus species, as did the blackish first segment of the antennae. The dark second and third segments eliminated ambiguus while the dark cuneus with a pale base and narrow reddish edge pointed towards betuleti. For certain elimination of montanus the aedeagus was checked, and the long straight-edged apical process with no lobe confirmed it was betuleti.

male Psallus betuleti showing aedeagus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 12th August 2020