Texas Bow Legged Bug

Description:

They have curved hind tibiae, with males having slightly thicker legs than the females. They also have two large white spots on each side of the thorax. These imitate the same markings that occur on some kinds of sphecid wasps and, combined with the slender general body shape, they probably give a predator enough wasp-like signals to make them hesitate.

Habitat:

Often be seen feeding on a variety of plants, especially euphorbias and seed pods of legumes and milkweeds. These were on Pinkeye Purple Hull peas (Vigna unguiculata)

Notes:

The immature nymph are pretty good ant mimics at this stage. The orange and black coloring may also mimic poisonous Lycid beetles.