Class: Insects
Size: 0.8 to 2.0cm
Weight: Variable
Age: 8 to 14 months
Appearance: Black-red carapace
Food: Mainly plant juices
Distribution: Worldwide approx. 340 species
Sleep-wake rhythm: Diurnal
Habitat: Close to trees and shrubs
Natural enemies: None
Sexual maturity: Unknown
Mating season: April to May
Number of offspring: 40 to 80 eggs
Threatened with extinction: No

• Fire bugs or Pyrrhocoridae describe a family of insects divided into more than 300 species.
• Fire bugs occur worldwide in subtropical, tropical and temperate regions.
• Only two species are native to Central Europe. The best known and most widespread species here is the firefly.
• The name of the fire bug is derived from the distinctive pattern of black, white and clear signal colours (such as red, orange or yellow). The length of the fire bug is between 0.8 and 2.0cm, depending on the species.
• The common fire bug or Pyrrhocoris apterus is unmistakable due to its red-black, slender and flat body and the striking pattern of dots, rectangles and triangles. Their body length is about 11 to 13 millimetres, their head is black, their antennae are long and their limbs are black.
• Common fire bugs are native to southern and central Europe and most parts of Asia and Eurasia. As ground dwellers, they live mainly in sunny places near lime trees, as the seeds falling from these trees are their main food source. It also likes to stay under mallow plants, horse chestnuts and acacias. It is found in the plains and Alps as well as in residential areas, parks and cemeteries.
• The fire bug uses its proboscis to suck out not only seeds but also plant material and occasionally dead insects.
• As a very social insect, fire bugs are always in groups with other similar species, but do not cause any damage. They usually feed on fallen seeds and fruits. However, when they appear in large groups, they can gnaw on buds.
• The animals are non-toxic and do not spray corrosive liquids. However, if you touch them, they will release unpleasant secretions if they feel in danger. They ingest food in liquid form through their proboscis.
• After mating (which can be easily observed in April or May), the females lay up to a hundred eggs in well-protected places under leaves or rocks.
• In contrast to adults, the larvae that hatch from these eggs are initially only red and go through a total of five nymphal stages in what is known as semimetabolism. With each moult, they look more and more like adult fire bugs.
• The life expectancy of a common fire bug is about one year.