Dust bug
| Dust bug | ||||||||||
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Dust bug ( Reduvius personatus ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Reduvius personatus | ||||||||||
| ( Linnaeus , 1758) |
The dust bug ( Reduvius personatus ) is a type of bug (Heteroptera) from the family of predatory bugs (Reduviidae). It is one of the largest Central European species. Characteristic of the insect , also known as the “masked rascal” or “dung bug”, is the camouflaging behavior of its larvae . These cover themselves with the available substrate of the environment, such as dust and grains of sand, until they become almost invisible. It can sting painfully.
distribution and habitat
The dust bug colonizes all of Europe as far as North Africa. To the east, their distribution extends across Asia Minor to the Caucasus . The predatory bug occurs today in North America, probably also in Australia and South America. As a cultural follower , she lives in old houses, stables and attics as well as in garbage dumps. In warmer regions, the insect can also be found outdoors, for example in hollow trees, under loose bark or in abandoned bird nests.
Features and way of life
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The Imago reaches body sizes between 15 and 19 millimeters and is monochrome black or black-brown. The top of the body is faintly shiny. The large, robust species is elliptical in shape and very hairy. The larvae are lighter; her abdomen is gray.
The animals feed exclusively on various arthropods , such as food pests or insects flying towards the light. The bugs have an adhesive pad at the end of the front rails ( tibiae ), a structure called " Fossula spongiosa " made of dense hair to hold the prey in place. This is quickly killed and sucked out by a sting that is also very painful for humans. Both the adult animals and the larvae are able to survive longer periods of hunger, which, however, delays their development. A generation cycle can therefore be up to three years with two overwintering periods for the larvae.
The larvae show a pronounced masking behavior to protect against predators. Immediately after each molt, they use their hind legs to load dust and other dirt particles onto the surface of the body and onto the legs. These particles stick due to the sticky secretions of special glandular hairs. The antennae and the tarsi remain free. On the one hand, the animals are camouflaged, and on the other hand, potential predators cannot taste them because of the dirt.
literature
- E. Wachmann , A. Melber, J. Deckert: Bugs . Volume 1: Revision of the bugs in Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland, Goecke & Evers, Keltern 2006, ISBN 3-931374-49-1
- E. Wagner: Heteroptera Hemiptera . In: P. Brohmer, P. Ehrmann, G. Ulmer (Hrsg.): Die Tierwelt Mitteleuropas . IV, 3 (Xa). Leipzig 1959, 173 pages
