The Italian striped bug (Graphosoma italicum) belongs to the true bugs (Hemiptera)—a massive and incredibly diverse order of insects. With their bold, graphic coloration, these striking insects are a common sight in meadows, forest clearings, and gardens across Europe. Equipped with specialized piercing-sucking mouthparts, they expertly tap into plant tissues to draw out sap, and when it’s time to move on, they prove to be remarkably efficient fliers. True bugs are masters of adaptation, a trait that explains their staggering evolutionary success, with over 40,000 described species worldwide. While it’s true that some members of this family can emit a pungent odor when disturbed, I find the Italian striped bug and its kin to be a vibrant, indispensable splash of color that beautifully decorates our meadows and forests. I managed to take nice photos on two occasions – in summer 2024 in Portugal and in summer 2025 in Poland.