The Gendarme: Meet the Least Harmful Red and Black Insect
Everyone is familiar with the gendarme, especially children who often observe them in the garden or in primary school classrooms to study their fascinating behavior. It is important to note that this small species of bug is harmless – it doesn’t sting, doesn’t emit any bad odor, and doesn’t cause any damage in the garden. Commonly found, the gendarme displays bright colors arranged in geometric patterns, which particularly attracts the curiosity of children who can safely approach and even let them crawl on their arms.
The gendarme, also known as Pyrrhocoris apterus, belongs to the Hemiptera order, Pyrrhocoridae family, and Pyrrhocoris genus. In addition to “gendarme,” it is also referred to by other familiar names such as “swiss” or “soldier” due to its red and black colors that resemble the uniforms of guards and soldiers from the past. Other names for this insect include “red bug,” “fire bug,” “devil,” “fireman,” “Indian bug,” and “midday seeker,” which are derived from its constant search for a sunny spot.
Habitat of the Gendarme
The gendarme is a common insect found throughout Europe, Asia, and the Mediterranean basin, but it does not venture into mountainous regions. It can be found in both rural and urban areas, and it tends to gather in groups, sometimes numbering in the hundreds or thousands, on tree trunks or around certain plants like linden and hibiscus. During wintertime, the gendarme hibernates in the crevices of rocks, tree bark, or even old walls, waiting for the warmer spring rays to emerge and reproduce.
A Varied Diet
The gendarme is a polyphagous insect, meaning it consumes a wide variety of foods, all belonging to specific classes. Its main diet consists of seeds from Malvaceae plants like hollyhocks, mallow, and hibiscus, as well as fallen fruits from lime trees. In addition, the gendarme feeds on insect eggs and both dead and living insects that are harmful to crops, including aphids.
Reproduction of the Gendarme
In early spring, male and female gendarmes mate, and this process can last from 12 hours to 7 days. It is not uncommon to observe these insects mating in nature. The female then lays around 50 to 70 white eggs among dead leaves or in holes she has prepared in moist soil. The larvae, which are red or orange in color, hatch in May and become adults at the beginning of winter.
The Gendarme is a Friend of the Garden
The gendarme’s gregarious nature makes it a valuable ally in the garden. Its diet includes many insects and their eggs, making it a natural predator of pests, especially aphids. Unlike some other bugs, the gendarme does not emit any unpleasant odor and does not sting. Therefore, it is safe to observe and touch them without any fear. It is recommended to let them thrive in your garden to naturally control undesirable pests. Provide them with insect hotels to shelter in peace and avoid using chemical products, which are harmful to their health and yours.
