Nick Volpe
Cotton Harlequin Bug (Tectocoris diophthalmus)
One of the most colourful invertebrates in Australia is the Cotton Harlequin Bug (Tectocoris diophthalmus) and it is found throughout the north and east coast. It can be quite common and sometimes form large and impressive aggregations!
Adult females are often an orange colouration whilst males are a mix of red and blue. Pictured is a nymph that boasts striking colours!
They mainly live and feed on Hibiscus plants, where they pierce the stems or fruits with their proboscis and suck out all the sugar rich juices. Have you seen these incredible insects before?
Cotton Harlequin Bug (Tectocoris diophthalmus)
One of the most colourful invertebrates in Australia is the Cotton Harlequin Bug (Tectocoris diophthalmus) and it is found throughout the north and east coast. It can be quite common and sometimes form large and impressive aggregations!
Adult females are often an orange colouration whilst males are a mix of red and blue. Pictured is a nymph that boasts striking colours!
They mainly live and feed on Hibiscus plants, where they pierce the stems or fruits with their proboscis and suck out all the sugar rich juices. Have you seen these incredible insects before?