Black-shouldered Shieldbug
Carpocoris purpureipennis
Their bold, purplish-red and black coloration acts as an aposematic warning, advertising their terrible taste to potential predators like birds.
- Scientific name
- Carpocoris purpureipennis
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Hemiptera › Pentatomidae › Carpocoris
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Meadows, grasslands, forest edges, roadside verges, and gardens.
- Diet
- Herbivorous; feeds on plant saps, especially from Apiaceae (umbellifers) and Asteraceae (thistles).
- Range
- Europe, Central Asia, Siberia, Mongolia, China
- Size
- 11 to 14 mm in length
- Lifespan
- Approximately 1 year
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Widespread pesticide use in agriculture and loss of meadow habitats due to intensive mowing.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to humans as they do not bite or sting. However, they are defensive and will release a highly pungent, foul-smelling liquid from their thoracic glands if handled roughly. Observe them from a close distance without touching. If handled and they spray, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to remove the odor.
Carpocoris purpureipennis is a species of shield bug belonging to the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Pentatominae....
Photo: Roman, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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