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Species Scantius aegyptius - Mediterranean Red Bug

Scantius aegyptius Non-native Red Bug nymph in California - Scantius aegyptius Red Bug, an Import - Scantius aegyptius Possibly Lygaeidae - Scantius aegyptius Scantius? - Scantius aegyptius Scantius aegyptius - Mediterranean Red Bug? - Scantius aegyptius Scantius aegyptius - Mediterranean Red Bug? - Scantius aegyptius bug at Isenberg Crane Reserve on 2023 May 06 - Scantius aegyptius
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs)
Infraorder Pentatomomorpha
Superfamily Pyrrhocoroidea
Family Pyrrhocoridae (Red Bugs)
Genus Scantius
Species aegyptius (Mediterranean Red Bug)
Explanation of Names
Scantius aegyptius (Linnaeus 1758)
Size
Adults typically 7 to 9 mm in length - UC, Riverside
Identification

Det. Salvador Vitanza, 2024
Range
adventive and established in CA-AZ / Baja, Mex. - Map (1)(2)(3), native to the eastern Mediterranean region
Life Cycle
The literature contains very little information regarding the biology of S. aegyptius and Scantius species in general are not considered to be economically important species. In California, Scantius has been observed feeding on the developing seeds and stems of Knotweed (Polygonum spp.) and Egyptian Mallow (Malva parviflora). It is likely that S. aegyptius will feed on the seeds of several species of annual herbaceous plants.
The most noticeable impact of S. aegyptius in California will likely be the presence of large numbers of nymphs and adults migrating from drying annual weeds into adjacent developed areas. These migrations consisting of thousands of individuals can be very conspicuous and lead to large aggregations on small patches of host plants causing concern to local residents who notice these obvious aggregations. - UC, Riverside
Remarks
est. in s. CA since the late 2000s. - UC, Riverside
Internet References
CISR datasheet - Nick Nisson, UC, Riverside
Works Cited
1.Invasive species in California
2.California plant pest & disease report, Vol. 25 (Jan 2008 through Dec 2009)
Gaimari S., O’Donnell M., eds. 2011. California Department of Food & Agriculture, Plant Pest Diagnostics Branch. 108 pp.
3.Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)