This brightly coloured bug can often be seen in large groups. They have piercing mouth parts which they use to suck food from fallen seeds of various plants but mainly Mallow sp. They are occasionally noted to take other insects. The colouration serves to warn predators of noxious properties, this is called “Aposematic”.
These insects are widespread in southern and central Europe, often occurring in woodland margins, clearings and grassy, scrubby places with bare ground and suitable hibernation sites. They are about 10mm long with most individual adults having short-wings although a few long-winged individuals may occur in any population. They can be seen congregating to hibernate, sometimes under tree bark.
Catalan: Xinxa de malva
Spanish: Chinche roja / Chinche zapatero
Insects in Spain
Read more about the bugs and beasties to be found here in Spain: https://wildsideholidays.co.uk/bugs-and-beasties-in-spain/
Iberia Nature Forum
Struggling with identifying those bugs and beasties? Why not check out the Iberia nature Forum!
Discover the Iberia Nature Forum – Environment, geography, nature, landscape, climate, culture, history, rural tourism and travel.
Ronda Today
Everything you need to know before you visit Ronda “The city of dreams” in Andalucia. https://www.rondatoday.com/
Wildside Holidays – Spain
Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.
I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain.