Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods) ➔ Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods) ➔ Class Insecta (Insects) ➔ Order Hemiptera (Hemipterans) ➔ Family Rhyparochromidae (Dirt-colored seed bugs)

Gastrodes grossipes (De Geer, 1773)

Kiefernzapfenwanze Pine Cone Bug

Synonyms and other combinations:

Cimex grossipes De Geer, 1773 |

  • Gastrodes grossipes 3221
    Gastrodes grossipes (De Geer, 1773)  Kiefernzapfenwanze  Pine Cone Bug 
    Gastrodes grossipes
    DE, Chemnitz, Zeisigwald; 2008-03-30 13:16:32
    Image number: 3221

    DE, Chemnitz, Zeisigwald
    2008-03-30 13:16:32
  • Gastrodes grossipes 3222
    Gastrodes grossipes (De Geer, 1773)  Kiefernzapfenwanze  Pine Cone Bug 
    Gastrodes grossipes
    DE, Chemnitz, Zeisigwald; 2008-03-30 13:16:56
    Image number: 3222

    DE, Chemnitz, Zeisigwald
    2008-03-30 13:16:56
  • Gastrodes grossipes, larva (L5) 10984
    Gastrodes grossipes (De Geer, 1773)  Kiefernzapfenwanze  Pine Cone Bug 
    Gastrodes grossipes, larva (L5)
    DE, Chemnitz, Harthwald; 2023-07-08 14:29:49
    Image number: 10984
    larva (L5)
    DE, Chemnitz, Harthwald
    2023-07-08 14:29:49
  • Gastrodes grossipes, larva (L5) 10985
    Gastrodes grossipes (De Geer, 1773)  Kiefernzapfenwanze  Pine Cone Bug 
    Gastrodes grossipes, larva (L5)
    DE, Chemnitz, Harthwald; 2023-07-08 16:32:21
    Image number: 10985
    larva (L5)
    DE, Chemnitz, Harthwald
    2023-07-08 16:32:21
  • Gastrodes grossipes, bottom view 10986
    Gastrodes grossipes (De Geer, 1773)  Kiefernzapfenwanze  Pine Cone Bug 
    Gastrodes grossipes, bottom view
    DE, Chemnitz, Harthwald; 2023-07-08 16:27:11
    Image number: 10986
    bottom view
    DE, Chemnitz, Harthwald
    2023-07-08 16:27:11

Distribution:
Europe; east to Siberia and northern China.
Habitat:
In coniferous and mixed forests preferably on pines.
Description:
Length 5.5 - 7.3 mm; body very flat, broadly oval; colouring predominantly brown; front part of pronotum, head and scutellum black; front femora especially of males thickened, toothed; the first antennal segment clearly protrudes beyond the head.
Similar species:
The Pine Cone Bug Gastrodes grossipes differs from the similar Spruce Cone Bug Gastrodes abietum by the length of the first antennal segment which is significantly shorter in Gastrodes abietum and hardly protrudes beyond the head, and by its slightly darker appearance.
Biology:
Gastrodes grossipes lives mainly on pines (Pinus), less frequently on spruces and larches.
In April, after hibernation and mating, the females of Gastrodes grossipes lay their eggs preferably on pine needles or cones. After hatching, the larvae pass through 5 larval stages. They can be found from May to July. The adults of the new generation appear from July. Imagines and larvae suck on the seeds and needles of their host plants. They hide in the cones during the day.
Gastrodes grossipes hibernates as an imago in the cones of the host plants, rarely also under bark scales.

References, further reading, links:
  1. Michael Chinery: Pareys Buch der Insekten: über 2000 Insekten Europas, Verlag Kosmos, 2004, 326 Seiten, ISBN 3440099695, 9783440099698.
  2. Hans-Jürgen Hoffmann: Die Namen der Wanzen – lateinisch und deutsch, sowie deren Betonung, Heteropteron Heft 34 /2011, S. 17-33, ISSN 1432-3761.