Arthropods Daily – Issue No. 361

Graphosoma italicum, also known as the Italian Striped-Bug, is a species of shield bug that can grow to be around 8-12 mm in length. It has a round body with a large shield and red upperside with black stripes. Its legs are primarily black, distinguishing it from its relative, Graphosoma lineatum, which has orange legs. G. italicum is found in the Western Palearctic and throughout the Mediterranean region, with some fluctuation in its northern distribution. It prefers warm and sunny areas, such as south-facing slopes and meadows, and can be found on plants of the Apiaceae family. Its orange and black warning colors serve as a protection mechanism, as it is foul-tasting and unappealing to predators. A subspecies, G. i. sardiniensis, is endemic to Sardinia and has reddish legs.