cruciferous bug

Eurydema ventralis

Their bright red and black coloration is aposematic, warning potential predators of their foul taste and toxic chemical defenses.

Scientific name: Eurydema ventralis
Taxonomy: Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Hemiptera › Pentatomidae › Eurydema
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern
Population trend: stable
Biome: grassland
Habitat: Agricultural fields, vegetable gardens, meadows, and waste ground with brassica plants.
Diet: Plant sap, specifically from cruciferous plants like cabbage, mustard, radish, and rapeseed.
Range: Europe, North Africa, Middle East, Central Asia
Size: 8 to 10 mm in length
Lifespan: Up to 1 year
Active: diurnal
Threats: Widespread use of chemical insecticides in agriculture.
Safe to approach?: This species is completely harmless to humans. However, if handled roughly, it may release a pungent, foul-smelling chemical defense from its thoracic glands. Observe its striking coloration from a close distance, and wash your hands with soap and water if you happen to touch one.

Eurydema ventralis is a species of shield bugs belonging to the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Pentatominae.

Photo: Kostas Zontanos, CC-BY, via iNaturalist