For a few days now we have found these animals on our top floor. We find both living and dead specimens, especially under and on the velux windows. What kind of animals are these and should we be concerned about them?
Answer
Dear Joseph,
this insect is a bug (Heteroptera). Most bugs feed on plant juices and seed juice, and have adapted mouthparts for this. These are stinging mouthparts (rostrum), a kind of injection needle, with which the plant cells are punctured. Due to their sucking activity, growth deformities often occur in the plant. There are also useful bugs, ie predatory bugs, that feed on all kinds of (harmful) insects, eg larvae of butterflies and beetles. A large number of bugs spread an unpleasant pungent odor.
Bugs usually overwinter as adults. In the autumn, these bugs often enter the house, looking for a hiding place to overwinter, just like ladybugs and lacewings. With the first rays of sunshine in spring, these insects try to get out again, and you can often find them on or under the window. In the home, these insects are completely harmless, nothing to worry about.
Kind regards,
Hans
Answered by
Hans Casteels
identification of pest insects in agriculture and horticulture, stock goods and homes
Burg. van Gansberghelaan 96 box 1 9820 Merelbeke
http://www.ilvo.vlaanderen.be
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