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

Aphanus rolandri (Linnaeus, 1758)

Synonyms and other combinations:

Cimex rolandri Linnaeus, 1758 |

  • Aphanus rolandri 3252
    Aphanus rolandri (Linnaeus, 1758)     
    Aphanus rolandri
    BG, Naturpark Zlatni Piassatzi; 2008-08-30 10:36:44
    Image number: 3252

    BG, Naturpark Zlatni Piassatzi
    2008-08-30 10:36:44

Distribution:
Europe, North Africa.
Habitat:
Aphanus rolandri can be found in dry warm, open, as well as in more humid, semi-shade habitats.
Description:
The 6.0 - 7.7 mm long, black ground bug has a dark red or orange spot at the base of the wing membranes. This spot makes the species unmistakable.
Biology:
Aphanus rolandri forms one generation per year. The mainly nocturnal animals are attracted by artificial light sources. They suck on the ground on fallen plant seeds, probably also on eggs of insects and carrion.
The imagines leave their winter quarters in spring and usually mate in May. In summer the black larvae develop. The adult bugs of the new generation spend the winter under loose bark of deciduous and coniferous trees and can form large aggregations for hibernation.

References, further reading, links:
  1. Michael Chinery: Pareys Buch der Insekten: über 2000 Insekten Europas, Verlag Kosmos, 2004, 326 Seiten, ISBN 3440099695, 9783440099698.