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A firebug resting on a dead seedhead. It's a surfboard-shaped bug with a black head, black legs and a red body with black markings

Firebug © Tom Hibbert

Firebug

This colourful bug is an increasingly common sight in southeast England.

Scientific name

Pyrrhocoris apterus

When to see

All year, but most obvious in spring and early autumn

Species information

Category

Statistics

Length: 8-11 mm

Conservation status

Least concern

About

The firebug is the only member of its family (Pyrrhocoridae) found in the UK. It is a fairly large, colourful bug that can gather in huge numbers, making it very easy to spot. It is often found on lime trees or mallow plants, or on the ground beneath them. It spends the winter as an adult, tucked away in a sheltered spot such as under moss, leaves or loose bark.

The firebug is common across mainland Europe but, historically, the only known UK colony was on the small island of Ore Stone, off the coast of Devon. It has recently become established in southeast England and appears to be spreading through the country. It is also expanding its range through continental Europe, establishing colonies in Scandinavia.

How to identify

A distinctive black and red bug, with a black head and black legs. It is most likely to be confused with the cinnamon bug, which is also black and red but has a mostly red head.

Distribution

Increasingly common across southeast England, from Kent to Norfolk. It may continue to spread north through the country.

Did you know?

In the 1960s, researchers in the USA attempted to breed firebugs, but something strange happened. After the fifth stage of development, bug larvae are meant to become adults. But almost all of the firebugs in their experiment instead entered a sixth stage of larval development, or became adults with larval features. Only one of 1,215 firebugs became a sexually mature adult.

They eventually figured out that it was the result of the paper towels used in the rearing process. This only happened when they used paper made in America. If they used European paper, the bugs developed normally. They discovered that the American paper contained a hormone, produced by the trees used to make it, that prevented the firebugs from maturing.