Oxycarenus lavaterae is species of Heteroptera and possessing pink blots on corium and distinctive, gleaming membranaceous wings. This appearance could correspond to the definition of a warning color. The design is similar to other coreoid Heteroptera, which live in the Czech Republic; though Oxycarenus lavaterae is a species originating from Mediterranean and quickly spreading north. In Czech Republic it is a new species and predators thus have only short experience with it.The information about chemical protection of Oxycarenus lavaterae is weak and the effect on predators has never been tested. The characteristic behaviour for this species is creating large aggregations, primarily at the time of hibernation. At that time, several thousands of individuals are gathered in apertures or at the surface of tree bark. The aggregation may enhance the warning appearance of this species. The aim of this study was to test the response of bird predators to the adult individuals of Oxycarenus lavaterae. Three species of insectivorous birds differing in the level of foraging and diet specialization was chosen as predator (namely - Great tit (Parus major), Blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), Eurasian blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)). Unmodified individuals of Oxycarenus lavaterae were served to these predators. In the case of the Parus major, the aggregation of Oxycarenus lavaterae (about 100 pieces) was also presented to test the effect of gregarious behavior on the warning signal. This study showed that the Parus major and the Sylvia atricapilla attacked the individual Oxycarenus more often than the Cyanistes caeruleus showing high level of restraint. In experiments with aggregatedOxycarenus lavaterae Parus major attacked them less often than when presented solitarily. However, after eating some Oxycarenus lavaterae, the Parus major showed symptoms of disgust and loss of appetite.

By warning signalling prey advertises its unpalatability to the predators. Typical examples are true bugs (Heteroptera) combining optical and chemical signals. The aim of this study was to find out the effectiveness of chemical defence against wild-caught adults of great tits (Parus major) and blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) and towards hand-reared juveniles of great tits. The tested prey were adults and larvae of two invasive species of genus Oxycarenus (Heteroptera: Oxycarenidae) (aposematic O. lavaterae, non-aposematic O. hyalinipennis), adults of Horvathiolus superbus (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae) and crickets (Gryllus assimilis) as a control prey. We were focusing on the influence of seed bugs to the initial reaction, the learning process and to the displays of discomfort behaviour in tits. Reactions affected by the tit species, age and sex were compared in adults. Juveniles were divided into two independent experimental groups, one group was offered adults of genus Oxycarenus, the second was offered sunflower (Helianthus sp.) or Digitalis sp. seed fed adults of H. superbus. The first bug offered did not elicit an initial aversive reaction in tits, but birds reacted aversively to the bugs after having further handling experience. All juveniles, contrary to the adult tits, attacked at least one bug...