Species Scantius aegyptius - Mediterranean Red Bug

Classification · Explanation of Names · Size · Identification · Range · Life Cycle · Remarks · Internet References · Works Cited

Non-native Red Bug nymph in California - 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)

Contributed by Martin Hauser on 6 July, 2009 - 1:47pm
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset, Mike Quinn, v belov, James Bailey
Last updated 1 December, 2024 - 11:20am

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