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Green shield backed bug

Coleotichus sp

Photo by MartinL
Published on Project Noah
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-37.7941, 145.01

Field Notes

Description:

Bright red bug nymphs with triangle patch on abdomen.
They become a green Jewel bug! I've included one adult that I spotted earlier. Pic #6 is one that grew from these (taken 11 Feb 2012) but looks a little different in pattern and color.

Habitat:

Clustered on stem of acacia and hiding effectively in the seed pods.

Notes:

see the nymphs of a similar sp of Coleotichus here
http://hear.smugmug.com/Photographers/HLO/HLO-invertebrates/18082342_q3…

Reference Links:

Green Shield Backed Bug - Coleotichus costatus

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (18)
Gilma Jeannette Ospino Ferreira-Norman
Lovely!! Love pictures #3 and #4, they were so pretty then! Thank you for following this lovely creatures development and sharing, I really like informative series like yours.
MartinL
There were many dozens of these bug nymphs over two acacia trees. They have become adults now (pic # 6) and they have ALL disappeared. There are none left. They have most likely flown away!
MartinL
Finally, pic#6 shows the adult bug, the green shield backed bug.
Birdgirl
I thought it was red eyed tree frogs all stacked up...
MartinL
Replaced pic #4 the penultimate nymph =)
MartinL
Added pic#2 the seed pod that they mimic Added pic #4 the penultimate nymph =) I will expect the adult jewel bugs to emerge next week to confirm this series.
MartinL
I was surprised to observe how hard they are to spot when on the seed pods.
Mark Ridgway
the latest ones are great - hard to believe they are the same
MartinL
I've added two pics of nymphs hiding among seed pods to camouflage.
MartinL
I've found the correct ID and updated the link:)
MartinL
http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/mbcn/kyf208.html
MartinL
looks like a spined soldier bug. A predatory one. http://www.flickr.com/photos/surenderdalal/4861812667/

Spotted for Missions

Mission
WILD Cities: Urban Biodiversity
Mission
The Color Red
Mission
Mimetic Animals of the World

Tags

Photographed
PublishedDecember 30, 2011

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