This is a common insect, found amongst reeds, rushes, bur-reed and other plants in marshes or at the sides of ponds, streams and rivers; on occasions it is found amidst Sphagnum but must not be confused with C. cocksi in such habitats: the bug occurs, therefore, at the margins of both acid and alkaline waters. It is distributed throughout the British Isles but is somewhat rare in the north of Scotland.

The bug overwinters as an adult and may possibly have, at least in the south, two annual generations. Larvae of this Chartoscirta can be distinguished from those of associated Saldula in the later instars by their prominent wing pads (SWL, 1959).

Distribution:

Found in 20 sites this wis widely distributed and with 14 10km squares it is classified as Un-common in Northants. I have not seen them in numbers and pick up the odd one or two on occasional visits.

Habitat:

Found amongst reeds, rushes, bur-reed and other plants in marshes or at the sides of ponds, streams and rivers.

Identification:

This can be identified by a shining pronotum that has a concave margin, short pubescence and the presence of Ocelli. It's antennae all being all dark differentiates it from the other two Chartoscirta sp.