Xanthochilus saturnius

Xanthochilus saturnius, the Mediterranean seed bug, is a species of true bugs belonging to the family Rhyparochromidae.
Xanthochilus is sometimes considered a subgenus of Rhyparochromus, in which case this species is called Rhyparochromus saturnius or Rhyparochromus saturnius.

Distribution

This species is present in southern Europe and in the Nearctic realm.

Description

Xanthochilus saturnius can reach a length of. These small true bugs have distinctive markings of black-on-tan. The head and scutellum are black, while pronotum shows a large black band and a band of stippled brown. Elytra are brown, with two black spots. Membrane has a large black mark too.

Biology

Adults of these bugs overwinter in gregarious clusters. They emerge in spring. Adults and larvae feed together on the same plant and on fallen seeds. New adults can be seen by July. Main host plants are Stachys species and other Lamiaceae, and Scrophulariaceae.