Bean Plataspid

Description:

This is Coptosoma obtusiceps Stal, 1871. It is my favourite Plataspid despite the fact that I was unable to identify it for several years until Arne Roysland sent me an ID Suggestion, a few months ago. I'm not sure why I like this bug so much because, after all it is a serious agricultural pest. I think it's possibly because it came to my attention in the early days of my developing interest in nature and the fact that it was so difficult to identify caused me to do a lot of research. This, in turn, brought many other creatures to my attention and I got well and truly "hooked' ".

Habitat:

This Bean Plataspid was spotted on Hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) in our garden. This plant is locally known as Bataw. Plant identification - http://www.stuartxchange.org/Bataw