Striped bug

Description:

Graphosoma lineatum is a species of shield bug in the family Pentatomidae. It is also known as the Striped bug and Minstrel bug. G. lineatum can reach a length of 8–12 mm (0.31–0.47 in). The body is almost round, with a large shield. The basic color of the upperside of the body is orange yellow, with wide black longitudinal stripes. The pronotum has six black bands. The antennae are black. Also the sides of the abdominal segments (connexivum) are yellow with many small black spots. The legs are mostly reddish orange. The orange and black warning colours (aposematism) indicate that the insects are foul-tasting, protecting them from predators. The nymphs do not have the orange-black stripe pattern, instead they are mostly brownish. These shield bugs are frequently found on the umbels of Apiaceae (Daucus, Heracleum, Anthriscus, Foeniculum, etc.).

Habitat:

G. lineatum is an insect of warm and sunny areas. It prefers warm slopes and meadows located on south-facing slopes.