If you are living in Utah, you might have seen a new type of fiery red bug in your garden – the firebug. But are firebugs dangerous? Why do you suddenly see so many of them? Let’s find out.
Are you seeing groups of fiery red and black insects around your garden? These could be Pyrrhocoris apterus or the firebug.
Firebugs mainly feed on dry seeds and plant material but are poisonous and should not be ingested.
They can be commonly found in parts of western Europe, China, Australia, India, US, and the UK.
However, in recent years, they have been spotted in Utah and other northern states as well (first appearing in Salt Lake County).
What Are They?
Firebugs are bugs belonging to the family of Pyrrhocoridae, along with 300 other species.
They are bright red in color with black colorations on their black in the shape of a triangular formation, two huge dots, and a trapeze below.
They have six black legs and two antennae and grow up to a size of .26 to 0.47 inches! They are conspicuous insects, and you might spot many in your garden.
Are Firebugs Dangerous?
The bright red and black colorations of the firebug are reminiscent of that of other insects that show off that they are dangerous (like ladybugs) – and they are!
But they do not sting or bite, and thus – they are only harmful to their own predators.
Apart from this, they do not carry any plant diseases and are not known to disrupt plant populations.
While they do feed on plants, they mostly eat waste and seeds (and sometimes smaller insects). Hence they aren’t pests to any common species of plants.
Are They Poisonous?
Firebug bodies make poison within them from the plant waste they eat. In other words, these beautiful animals are poisonous, but only when ingested.
They have very few bird predators, like finches who have evolved to digest the poison within.
The appearance of insects with bright colors are, as always, a deterrent to most birds and other predators. However, ants and do mites feast on dead firebugs.
Their poison has an interesting chemical formation that makes it anti-bacterial in nature. If harnessed well, it could help us replace or make antibiotics similar to penicillin.
Do They Bite?
Firebugs do not bite! In fact, they cannot even eat solid matter with their mouth and rely mostly on liquid mush.
They do not typically harm stored food products either. One interesting fact about them is that they can stain fabrics with their color.
Typically, to protect themselves, they generate a foul odor or produce a fluid via vomiting, which also smells vile.
Why Do They Congregate?
Similar to other bugs, firebugs are known to form large congregations, sometimes at the base of plants. Sometimes these groups may have only a few bugs, but at other times you may see thousands of them.
An onlooker finding such a large group of firebugs in one place might become alarmed at their intentions, but its nothing to be worried about.
Bugs usually release a congregation pheromone which attracts other bugs to join them. The usual reasons for such congregations can be:
- To huddle together and use the warmth generated to ward off the cold.
- As a precursor to mating.
Large clusters can be disruptive in gardens, but there are many ways to get rid of them which we’ve discussed later.
What Do They Eat?
Firebugs have mouthparts that help them pierce into seeds and plants, from which they suck out the liquid.
They feed on lime seeds, mallow, linden, and other plants. Since they avoid direct sunlight, you can usually find them at the base or under the leaves of these plants.
Sometimes, they eat other smaller insects or even other firebugs.
How to Get Rid of Them?
There are many easy ways to get rid of them:
- Firebugs, especially young nymphs, drown easily. You can position a high-pressure jet spray toward them and wash away large congregations.
- Alternatively, soapy water with half a cup of soap per gallon water can kill them.
- If you see individual firebugs inside, you can sweep them out, transport them on a mobile device or vacuum them. Beware of scaring them by poking too much, as they might release a foul odor in defense!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do Firebugs cause damage?
Unlike beetle infestations, firebugs are not especially harmful to live plants and will not leave large holes in your leaves.
Still, large gatherings of them can be an eyesore, and it’s best to get rid of them. Big groups can also smell bad if distressed.
How do you deal with firebugs?
Firebugs can be easily washed away using high-pressure water. Insecticides or chemicals are not needed as they are not invasive or pervasive infestations.
However, you can use a soap-water mixture to draw them out further and kill them.
What does a firebug do?
Female firebugs lay white eggs which hatch into nymphs. After 5 instar nymph stages, they mature into an adult and have a total life span of about two years.
A firebug spends its life eating plant waste and searching for a mate.
Do bugs feel pain when burned?
According to studies, bugs do feel pain and avoid situations that can result in painful encounters like burning or drowning.
In fact, they even retain memories of these events if they survive. Thus, it’s safe to say that bugs do feel pain when being burned.
Wrap Up
For insect fans – firebugs can be an interesting-looking bug to study. They are typically not considered pests unless you start seeing large, chunky aggregations of many firebugs together.
However, it’s best to keep kids away as ingesting them is poisonous. Their red color makes people confuse them with Bark beetles and then treat them as beetle outbreaks.
Besides, their many predators usually keep their number in check.
Thank you for reading.
3 Comments. Leave new
It’a also called “French Tribal Mask Bugs”, hehe.
http://williamwilt.deviantart.com/art/Crazy-French-Tribal-Mask-Bugs-128660270
Hi Cesar,
And here we thought your reference was to the recent controversy of the selling of Hopi masks by a Paris auction house which we just heard on the news. See: Judge Approves Auction of Scared Hopi Masks.
It’a also called “French Tribal Mask Bugs”, hehe.
http://williamwilt.deviantart.com/art/Crazy-French-Tribal-Mask-Bugs-128660270