Pyrrhocoris apterus - grp w many long-winged
Inspired by Rui uploading Scantius aegyptius to the site :o)
Pyrrhocoris apterus is normally brachypterous, with the membranes on the wings rudimentary only, but fully winged specimen do frequently occur, although usually in quite low numbers. These macropterous specimen look a lot like Scantius aegyptius (always macropterous), but can be readily distinguished by the small extra black dots in the shoulders of the wings that are lacking on S. aegyptius.
This here image (2008) shows of a group of Pyrrhocoris apterus with a surprisingly high number of fully winged (macropterous) individuals, whereas in most populations these are rather rare.
Here is close-up of a long-winged specimen found dead in France:
Compare to the image of Scantius aegyptius by R.M. Felix here:
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.
