Striped bug (Graphosoma lineatum)

(also called Minstrel Bug, Italian Striped Bug)

The Striped Bug is a striking shield bug easily recognized by its bold red and black striped pattern. Commonly found across southern and central Europe, it is often spotted on flowers in meadows and sunny clearings. Its bright coloration warns predators of its unpalatability, a classic example of aposematism.

🐞 Identification

• Length: 8–12 mm

Appearance:

• Coloration:
  • Bright red or orange body with bold black longitudinal stripes on the back (pronotum and elytra).
  • The underside is usually black with red markings.
• Body shape:
  • Broad and rounded like other shield bugs (family Pentatomidae).
  • Slightly convex, giving a domed appearance.
• Both males and females look similar.

This eye-catching pattern makes it very easy to recognize in the field.

🌿 Habitat

• Prefers sunny, open habitats, including:
  • Meadows
  • Flower-rich grasslands
  • Field edges
  • Roadsides
  • Dry hillsides
  • Forest clearings

Often found resting on umbelliferous plants (family Apiaceae), such as wild carrot, fennel, and parsley.

🍽️ Diet

• Herbivore (sap-feeder):
  • Feeds on the sap of flowering plants, especially umbellifers.
  • Uses its piercing-sucking mouthparts (rostrum) to feed on seeds, stems, and flower heads.

Despite feeding on plants, it rarely causes significant damage to vegetation.

🔁 Behavior & Life Cycle

Life cycle:

• One generation per year in most regions.
• Mating occurs in late spring to early summer.
• Females lay clusters of eggs on host plants.
• Nymphs go through several molts before reaching adulthood by mid to late summer.
• Adults overwinter hidden in leaf litter or under bark.

Defense:

• Aposematic coloration: The bright red and black stripes warn predators of their distastefulness.
• Emits foul-smelling chemicals when threatened, like many shield bugs.

Activity:

• Active during the day (diurnal).
• Often seen basking on flowers in groups.

🌍 Distribution

• Widely distributed across:
  • Southern and Central Europe
  • Parts of the Mediterranean region
  • Extending east into western Asia

Its range is expanding northward with climate change.

🧬 Interesting Facts

• Sometimes mistaken for ladybirds by casual observers because of its red-black pattern.
• It is one of the few true bugs that are immediately recognizable even by non-entomologists due to its bold coloration.
• Its scientific name Graphosoma means “painted body,” referring to its distinctive appearance.
• Plays a minor role in pollination as it moves between flowers while feeding.

🛡️ Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Not evaluated — Common and widespread
• Populations are stable, and it benefits from flowering meadows and warmer climates.

The Striped Bug (Graphosoma lineatum) is a beautiful example of how bold colors serve as a warning in nature. Easy to spot and harmless to humans, it adds vivid color to European meadows and is a favorite subject for nature photographers and entomologists.