Spilostethus saxatilis

Knappe ( Spilostethus saxatilis )

The Squire ( Spilostethus saxatilis ) is one of the chinch bug ( Lygaeidae ). While many chinch bugs are brown or black, wear several representatives of Lygaeinae a striking red and black warning coloration, so also this bug.

Features

The squire reaches body lengths from 8.5 to 12.5 millimeters. His body shape is long oval. The animal is particularly characterized by the red spots of different shapes on a black background. The pronotum ( pronotum ) bears three longitudinal red stripes, the dermis of the forewing ( Hemielytre ) is heavily mottled red, all edges of the corium are black, the membrane is also dyed black. The hind wings are hyaline angedunkelt. The wings are fully functional and the black run legs of this bug are well trained. The segments of the abdomen edge ( Konnexivum ) are alternately colored red and black.

Distribution and habitat

The squire is particularly common in southern Central Europe, Southern Europe and in the Mediterranean. Its area extends over Asia Minor in the Caspian region. In Germany, the northern distribution limit runs through North Rhine -Westphalia, Hesse, Thuringia and Saxony. In northern Germany so far only individual animals were found. The species is not common, at the edge of its distribution even more rarely, in Austria the Wanzenart comes but common. In the Alps, and in heat- favored locations of the bug can be found at altitudes of 1000 meters. The species occurs mainly in warm, dry open land habitats. In many cases they can also be found in wetter habitats such as bogs and stream banks.

Way of life

Spilothetus saxatilis lives polyphagous on herbaceous plants, with a preference for the ovules and vacuum applied to the seeds. The food plants include, for example, the following families: Streifenfarngewächse ( Aspleniaceae ), Compositae ( Asteraceae) and Umbelliferae ( Apiaceae ). The squire overwinters in the adult stage. On the first warm days in spring, sometimes as early as March, the animals leave their winter quarters. From May to June, the mating takes place, the eggs are laid in July. Larvae occur in the period from June to August sometimes in September. The adults of the new generation appear from August, in the fall they often bask on rocks and stones. This is indicated by the epithet " saxatilis " (Latin for " between rocks located " ) back.