Parent bug with Nymphs - Elasmucha grisea ♀

Distribution and habitat

The speckled parent bug is distributed throughout large areas of Europe. It lives on birch, elm or alder trees and feeds by sucking plant sap.

Way of life and characteristic features

The parent bug is approx. 6 to 9 mm long and was given its name due to its unusual breeding behaviour. The female firstly defends the eggs and then the larvae against enemies.
It does so by whirring its wings and emitting a foul-smelling and poisonous defensive secretion from its scent glands.
The female stays with its offspring for a further 2-3 weeks even after hatching, defends them and takes them with her from leaf to leaf as she searches for food.