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Dindymus versicolor (Herrich-Schäffer)
Dozens of attractive bright coloured instars of about 12mm length with red and black markings on abdomen and shiny black head, legs and thorax. 5 segmented antennae including base.
On a small shrub with new pink flowers and leaves that resembled vetch. Local parkland council planting.
Phylum: ARTHROPODA Class: HEXAPODA Order: Hemiptera Family: Pyrrhocoridae Also known as cotton stainer bugs they have a reputation as pests... "The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries report they attack cotton, pome fruits, stone fruits, fig, grape, kurrajong, strawberry, vegetables, wisteria, dahlia and violet." - Wikipedia http://www.ces.csiro.au/aicn/system/c_18... Thanks to martinl for help with ID