Skip to main content
Close

Giant Mesquite Bug

Thasus acutangulus

Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-23.1464, -45.7271

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (18)

Wow! what a beauty. Great spotting!
Great shot. Versace could learn something.
Exquisite design from Mother Nature. Great shot!
Spotting of the day! "The bright, conspicuous colors of the Giant Mesquite Bug are aposematic coloration meant to warn potential predators." http://facebook.com/projectnoah/posts/111095758980744 http://twitter.com/projectnoah/status/80719898413772801
Here in Korea, we eat mostly silkworm pupae and grasshoppers. Yummy. I put grasshoppers on pizza.
It was interesting to read in the "whatstatbug" entry about all of the people who collected an ate Thasus gigas. Too bad 'commercial harvesting' is cutting into those available for the locals. In Australia the prized eating insects are the thumb-sized grubs of root or wood boring moth (ocassionally beetle) species. Some witchetty grubs (local term) are said to taste like peanut butter. Mmmmm. ;)
I hope I can see this bug again and take more pictures!
I missed the update in the "whatsthatbug" entry. The photo of Thasus acutangulus you linked to above does seem to be the best match. Very cool critter.
Thasus acutangulus or Thasus gigas: http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2010/03/21/giant-mesquite-bug-nymphs-from-mexico/
Probably a Leaf-foot bug nymph, Thasus sp. Excellent shot.
Photographed
PublishedJune 12, 2011

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon