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Pyrrhocoris apterus
The firebug, Pyrrhocoris apterus, is a common insect of the family Pyrrhocoridae. Easily recognizable due to its striking red and black colouration. They are frequently observed to form aggregations, especially as immature forms, with from tens to perhaps a hundred individuals.
It is distributed throughout the Palaearctic from the Atlantic coast of Europe to northwest China. It has also been reported from the USA, Central America and India. It has been reported as recently expanding its distribution northwards into mainland UK. They feed on lime trees and mallows. Indeed I found these close to mallows although they were all over and so the diet is not so restricted.
Spotted on Jul 8, 2011
Submitted on Jul 8, 2011
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