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Project Noah Nature School
Graptocoris aulicus
vivid, shiny, black and red bug nymphs which tend to cluster together for protection and presumably this also amplifies their warning colour pattern. Graptocoris aulicus belongs to the shield-backed bug family (Scutelleridae) which is predominantly a sub-tropical family of plant sap suckers. These nymphs are 5-6mm in length
Hot, dry semi-dessert conditions, open tree savanna; on flowering herbaceous shrubs along the road verge
Nymphs of this species are known to favour Malvaceous plants but this group are feeding on clumps of Gnidia, which are unpalatable to mammals and, as can be seen in the second photo, dominate the local environment in this instance most other species having been reduced by overgrazing.
Spotted on Sep 10, 2008
Submitted on Apr 28, 2012
6 Comments
Thanks for the suggestion, I'd be pleased to but I can't find the mission; does it have another title?
The similarity is remarkable - convergent evolution perhaps although they are probably too closely related to qualify. I guess they actually share some important genes which have produced similar responses to similar threats, in similar environments.
Wonderful! There seems to be three instars together in this pic.
Based on your ID, the adult is this one
Interesting how such different and distant creatures can look so similar. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/847...
nice addition of the photo of their environment
Bellos colores