European Firebug

Pyrrhocoris apterus

These insects are common across Europe and can be found in short winged or wingless (as shown here) forms. They prefer warmth and will gather in large groups or clusters on sunny days. Their bright coloring serves as a warning signal to predators that they taste unpleasant due to a chemical defense system powered by their diet. Here two adult firebugs are seen to be mating end-to-end.

Recorded lineage

kingdomAnimaliaphylumArthropodaclassInsectaorderHemipterafamilyPyrrhocoridaegenusPyrrhocorisspeciesPyrrhocoris apterus

Observed

May 27, 2026

Location

Zaandijk, Netherlands