Coptosoma scutellatum
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~30%
Coptosoma scutellatum is a species of true bugs belonging to the family Plataspidae, subfamily Plataspinae. Coptosoma scutellatum can reach a size of about 4–5 mm. These small true bugs are almost spherical or trapezoidal in shape and shiny deep black, sometimes with green, blue or bronze gloss. The side edges of the abdomen are yellow. The scutellum covers the abdomen and the tarsus is bipartite.
This species can be found in most of southern Europe and it is widespread from North Africa to Siberia, China, Korea and Japan. In Europe it is missing in the British Isles. It is one of the four European species of Coptosoma, most of other being restricted to Asia and Ethiopia.
These thermophile bugs live in dry and warm areas with moderately dense herbaceous vegetation, in lawns, limestones, clay and sandy soils. In the Alps, it is particularly common in the valleys, but can be found in good conditions up to 1000 meters above sea level.
They mostly feed on legumes (Coronilla species, Lathyrus species) and other leguminous plants, such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), milkvetch (Astragalus... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|
More parks will be added in future updates.
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Soot Sprite sighting in Kyiv on a given day, based on 17 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 402nd most-seen of the 753 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 30%, if each day is a fresh chance.
May and June
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Soot Sprite in Kyiv on a given day, against under 5% in July to April, the lowest months.
Among the best
Of the 3 cities where we can rate Soot Sprite sightings, Kyiv ranks 2nd at under 5%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Bucharest (Romania, under 5%).
Same order: Hemiptera
The closest relatives of the Soot Sprite that you can see in Kyiv (order Hemiptera, True Bugs, Hoppers, Aphids, and allies) are European Firebug (about 50%), Green Shield Bug (about 30%) and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (about 20%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Soot Sprite is recorded against all the insects logged in Kyiv (17 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
