Spot-sided Coreid Bug by Leeco

Photography • Insects • posted on Aug 30, 2008

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Description

Nikon 7900 pocket camera. Hand-held image. I spent a lot of time trying to ID this critter because at first I thought it might be an assassin bug even though the head was not shaped right for that. There are lots of Assassin Bug species, lol. No luck! It had some characteristics that made me think about Stink Bugs but after going through a “Whole Lot” of different Stink Bug species, I found nothing I decided it must be something else and considered that maybe it was a Leaffooted Bug, but I did not follow up on that because the “leaf” was not there and I was tired of searching, lol. Bug identifications take way more time than Bug “captures”. I finally posted it in the ID request gallery at BugGuide.com (which is an excellent site for North America critter identifications). I make a serious effort to find IDs myself but I depend on the folks who visit BugGuide.com a lot. It took just a day or so before someone (who visits the site) provided the info. Kingdom Animalia (Animals) Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods) Class Insecta (Insects) Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies) Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs) Family Coreidae (Leaffooted Bugs) Genus Hypselonotus Species punctiventris (Spot-sided Coreid) They are about 13 mm long. This is a male. I was quite amazed at the bright red markings on the body that became visible when it spread its wings a bit (note the right side image). The females are less colorful and larger. This species can be quite common in central Texas to Northeast Texas and have been found been found as far east as Alabama. It doesn't appear to occur in Florida. The species feeds on Mallows and a wide variety of other flower families. Thanks to those who take the time to comment. Lee

Comments (15)

MrsLubner

12:38AM | Sat, 30 August 2008

I'm amazed by the thickness at the shoulders and the color pattern on the back really is vivid and bold. Your two captures give a lot of detail!

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flora-crassella

1:21AM | Sat, 30 August 2008

… beautiful macros of this bug. With us there is hardly this year which - or I do not see it….

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durleybeachbum

2:05AM | Sat, 30 August 2008

This is an incredibly handsome creature! I'm glad you got an ID, like you I find it so frustrating when I can't find out. I wish we had a site like your for UK: There is a great moth one but so far I haven't found a decent general insect equivalent. SUPERB pics!

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JeffG7BRJ

7:07AM | Sat, 30 August 2008

It's a pity he wasn't an assassin bug, that profile view he looks like a killer. Amazing difference in the profile to top view, the top being so very colourful, the profile so anaemic almost albino. I can't agree with Andrea on the handsome bit, but he is so ugly as to be beautiful. Definately a candidate for the Ugly Bug Ball, might even win first prize. Superb captures and presentation. Bravo!!!!!

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