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Riptortus serripes
The pod-sucking bug belongs to the Family "Alydidae, commonly known as broad-headed bugs, a family of true bugs very similar to the closely related Coreidae (leaf-footed bugs and relatives). There are about 40 genera with 250 species altogether. Distributed in the temperate and warmer regions of the Earth, most are tropical and subtropical animals." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alydidae. AKA the brown bean bug, Riptortus serripes is brown in colour with yellow lines along each side of the body. Its body is slim and narrower in the middle, with short sharp spine on each side of the thorax. It also has strong spiny hind legs. The bug is an active flyer. Adults can be found on other plant leaves. When disturbed, the bug will eject some yellow smelly liquid as defense (See 2nd photo).
Spotted on a peacock flower seed pod (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) in a large semi-urban yard & garden situated next to a disturbed patch of remnant forest.
True to its common name, this broad-headed bug was spotted on a seed pod.
Spotted on Apr 8, 2012
Submitted on Apr 9, 2012
5 Comments
Yes, I didn't realize it until I was reading about the species while trying to ID it. :-)
Nice that you got a shot of the defense mechanism!
I suspect that this species favors or specializes on seed pods, although it will eat on grasses too as an adult (I read).
Scott is this another type in Alydidae or its common seed eatig feature in this type bugs..?
Nice spotting,