About Cercidia prominens (Westring, 1851)
Cercidia prominens is a species described by Niklas Westring in 1851. Females of this species have a total body length ranging from 3.8 mm (0.15 in) to at least 5.4 mm (0.21 in). Males are slightly smaller, with recorded total body lengths between 3.6 mm (0.14 in) and 4.1 mm (0.16 in). Living Cercidia prominens individuals have a bright orange-red color, which fades to orange-brown when preserved in alcohol. Original describer Niklas Westring used the Swedish term tegelröd, which translates to 'brick red', to describe the color of the thorax. Females have an orange carapace with a dark spot on the thorax, and an abdomen of the same color that has a lighter central band and four dark spots at the front end of the scutum. Their legs are also orange, and their sternum is brown. Males share a similar overall color pattern with females, but their hardened, sclerotized body parts are darker in color.
