About Arocatus roeselii (Schilling, 1829)
Arocatus roeselii (Schilling, 1829) can reach a body length of 6–7.2 millimetres (0.24–0.28 inches). This is a highly variable species. The upperside of these bugs is patterned red and black, while their abdomen is orange. Their head, antennae, scutellum, and legs are all black. The connexivum is red, and the hemelytral membrane is translucent dark brown. The length of the head is approximately equal to the distance between the eyes. This species can be found across most of Europe, the Middle East, and the Caucasus. It was long thought to not be present in the British Isles, but this claim may be incorrect. In 2008, the Natural History Museum, London reported a large infestation of what was thought to be Arocatus roeselii in London, England. The sighted individuals were later reidentified as the related species Arocatus longiceps, which has a more elongated head and typically has a mostly reddish body. These bugs prefer to live under the bark of alder or sycamore trees.
