Firebug

Pyrrhocoris apterus

The firebug, "Pyrrhocoris apterus", is a common insect of the family Pyrrhocoridae. Easily recognizable due to its striking red and black colouration, it is distributed throughout the Palaearctic from the Atlantic coast of Europe to northwest China.
Pyrrhocoris apterus - Female Adding the species for Den Alerdinck Alerdinck,Firebug,Geotagged,Heteroptera,Netherlands,Pyrrhocoridae,Pyrrhocoris,Pyrrhocoris apterus,nl: Vuurwants

Distribution

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.
Pyrrhocoris apterus - Female Firebug,Heteroptera,Pyrrhocoridae,Pyrrhocoris,Pyrrhocoris apterus,nl: Vuurwants

Behavior

They are frequently observed to form aggregations, especially as immature forms, with from tens to perhaps a hundred individuals.
Pyrrhocoris apterus - Last and early stadium nymphs Firebug,Heteroptera,Nymph,Pyrrhocoridae,Pyrrhocoris,Pyrrhocoris apterus,nl: Vuurwants

Reproduction

Firebugs generally mate in April and May. Their diet consists primarily of seeds from lime trees and mallows. They can often be found in groups near the base of lime tree trunks, on the sunny side.

They can be seen in tandem formation when mating which can take from 12 hours up to 7 days. The long period of copulating is probably used by the males as a form of ejaculate-guarding under high competition with other males.

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