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
Castilian: Chinche roja / Chinche zapatero

Left: adult and young together Right: adult preparing to hibernate

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