Bug FAQMelanocoryphus albomaculatus
Melanocoryphus albomaculatus · Order: Hemiptera · Family: Lygaeidae
The bug is 7 to 9 mm long and has a black head, antennae, legs and scutellum. Its red pronotum bears two hook-shaped black spots, the front wings are red with a black round spot and a black membrane that has a white spot, and the abdomen’s side is red with black spots. It lives in hot, dry, rocky places, is common around the Mediterranean and extends east to the Caspian Sea, feeding mainly on swallow-wort and also on foxglove and ragwort.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Black head, antennae, legs and scutellum; red pronotum with two hook-shaped black spots; red hemelytra with a central black spot and a black membrane with a white spot; red abdomen side with black spots.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Adults measure about 7 to 9 mm in length.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
Prefers hot, dry, rocky habitats and occasionally sandy soils.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Main food plant is swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum hirundinaria); it also feeds on foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and ragwort species (Senecio).
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults spend the winter in hibernation.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are present as hibernating individuals.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Common throughout the Mediterranean region and extends eastward to Asia Minor and the Caspian Sea.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
Can be confused with Lygaeus equestris or Lygaeus simulans.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
How can I identify Melanocoryphus albomaculatus?
Look for a 7 to 9 mm bug with a black head, antennae, legs and scutellum, a red pronotum bearing two hook-shaped black spots, red front wings with a central black spot and a black membrane that has a white spot, and a red abdomen side with black spots (-).
Source: Wikipedia
Where is this bug usually found?
It lives in hot, dry, rocky areas, is common around the Mediterranean, and its range reaches east to Asia Minor and the Caspian Sea (-).
Source: Wikipedia
What does Melanocoryphus albomaculatus eat?
Its primary food is swallow-wort, but it also feeds on foxglove and ragwort plants.
Source: Wikipedia
Can I mistake it for another bug?
Yes, it resembles Lygaeus equestris and Lygaeus simulans.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Lygaeidae)
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanocoryphus_albomaculatus
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-23 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.