European firebug

7380.      Scarborough, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7380.    This is a European firebug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae), an introduced species currently sporadically distributed in North America. See European firebug Image & Map Distribution . These primarily are nuisance pests that reportedly feed mainly on the seeds of plants in the mallow family. See European firebug control recommendations .