Lygaeus equestris
| Lygaeus equestris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Adult of Lygaeus equestris | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Suborder: | Heteroptera |
| Infraorder: | Pentatomomorpha |
| Superfamily: | Lygaeoidea |
| Family: | Lygaeidae |
| Subfamily: | Lygaeinae |
| Genus: | Lygaeus |
| Species: | L. equestris |
| Binomial name | |
| Lygaeus equestris (Linnaeus, 1758) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Spilostethus equestris | |
Lygaeus equestris, common name Black-and-Red-bug, is a species of ground bugs belonging to the family Lygaeidae, subfamily Lygaeinae.
Description
These bugs can reach about 11 to 12 millimetres (0.43 to 0.47 in) in length. They have a characteristic red-black pattern, fully developed wings and long, powerful legs. The hemelytra have two transverse bands that reach the margin and a round white spot on the membrane. Scutellum is without bristles but with tiny hairs. The black band close to the eye is wider than the same.
This species is very difficult to differentiate from Lygaeus simulans, that has a scutellum with long bristles, antennae with angulous tubercles and a larger red area on the head.[1]
The red-black pattern has a deterrent effect and serves to protect the insect (Mullerian mimicry or Batesian mimicry). By storing the toxic ingredients of their food plants, they are unpalatable to potential predators.
These bugs feed on plant juices, particularly milkweed (Vincetoxicum hirundinaria),[2] Spring pheasant's eye (Adonis vernalis) and sometimes also on dandelions.
Distribution
It is mainly present in Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.[3]
Subspecies
- Lygaeus equestris equestris (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Lygaeus equestris sicilianus (Wagner, 1955) [4]
References
Bibliography
- O Kugelberg - 1977 - Distribution, feeding habits and dispersal of Lygaeus equestris. (Heteroptera) larvae in relation to food supply L. equestris
- T. J. Henry: Phylogenetic analysis of family groups within the infraorder Pentatomomorpha (Hemiptera: Heteroptera), with emphasis on the Lygaeoidea. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 90: 275-301, 1997.