Friday 12 August 2016

FRIDAY GREENS #84 - HARLEQUIN BUG

Welcome to this meme active every Friday. The theme is "Friday Greens" and you can post images, art, photos where the predominant colour is GREEN!
GREEN is the colour between blue and yellow in the spectrum; coloured like grass or emeralds.
Dindymus versicolor, commonly called the harlequin bug, is a species of cotton stainer bug (red bug), found in south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. In North Central districts of Victoria it is sometimes colloquially known as the "Sex Beetle". An attractive insect, up to 12 mm long with a black head and bands on the fore-wing, and orange/red elsewhere. When the wings are folded, two red triangles appear. Legs are relatively long.

These sucking insects have a reputation as a pest in the garden, damaging a wide range of plants. They are known to damage a variety of crops and ornamentals. The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (Agriculture) report they attack cotton, pome fruits, stone fruits, fig, grape, kurrajong, strawberry, vegetables, wisteria, dahlia and violets. In winter they find shelter in dark shady places such as under compost, timber, hedges and fence palings.
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6 comments:

  1. Gotta ask, why the "sex beetle" name? The orange parts look like female anatomy? Or what? Neat shot.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sara, it's because these bugs are often found mating thus:
      https://cl.ly/3w1j3W2k363Q

      Delete
  2. A designer bug perhaps?
    Beautiful,especially set against the vivid green.
    Thanks for hosting,
    Ruby

    ReplyDelete
  3. A designer bug perhaps?
    Beautiful,especially set against the vivid green.
    Thanks for hosting,
    Ruby

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nick, interesting insect. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete