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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:

Second and third instars of red bugs spotted last week (pic#2)
One individual is totally red (poss newly emerged?)
Suspected eggs for this insect.

Habitat:

Communally on silver wattle.

Notes:

Finally ID'd this by finding a hawaiian cousin Coleotichus blackburniae with pics of nymphs http://hear.smugmug.com/Photographers/HLO/HLO-invertebrates/18082342_q3… Now this link http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_stinkbugs/GreenShieldBackedBug… seems the correct ID=) Phew that was tough!
Pic #6 was found nearby but weeks earlier

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (15)
MartinL
Thanks Mayra. I was surprised to see these so far south and would be delighted to see them again next summer.
MartinL
I watched these grow from hatchlings to green shield backed beetles over many weeks. Suddenly the adults all flew away.
HemaShah
Wow,would love to wear these jewels in my braid!
MartinL
Yay! Finally found the ID. It is a green Jewel bug from a red and blue nymph!
MartinL
New theory - http://hear.smugmug.com/Photographers/HLO/HLO-invertebrates/18082342_q3dKTH/11#!i=1387130997&k=HL3bbCZ&lb=1&s=A from Hawaii makes this a Coleotichus species (Hawaii has C. blackburniae but Aussie has C. artensis, C. costatus or C. excellens. These are gonna turn out green!
MartinL
Thanks for your comments.
MartinL
suspect cotton harlequin http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2008/01/25/immature-cotton-harlequin-bugs-from-australia/ http://lifeunseen.com/index2_item_2970.php

Spotted for Missions

Mission
WILD Cities: Urban Biodiversity
Mission
The Color Red

Tags

Photographed
PublishedJanuary 6, 2012

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