giant shield bug

Lyramorpha cf. maculifer

Description:

A "giant shield bug" (Tessaratomidae: Lyramorpha) demonstrating brooding behavior (with newly hatched nymphs; some eggs visible), for which they are known. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tessaratomi...

Habitat:

This spotting on a guava (Psidium sp.) tree in a large semi-urban yard/garden next to a disturbed patch of remnant forest.

Notes:

See also spotting: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/699... For a similar photo of brooding behavior (with a clutch of eggs) by a related species, see this spotting: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/712...

Species ID Suggestions

13 Comments

Scott Frazier 11 years ago

Thanks Ava!

Ava T-B 11 years ago

Beautiful!

Scott Frazier 11 years ago

Thanks Gilma

Gilma Jeannette Ospino Ferreira-Norman 11 years ago

It is great to see more series in the development of a family, thanks for sharing.

Scott Frazier 12 years ago

Call this spotting day "X"
Day X+3: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/715...
Day X+4: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/715...
Unfortunately I have no other photos but I have seen a few solitary nymphs in the area...

Scott Frazier 12 years ago

Check out the nymphs 3 days later at: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/715...

Scott Frazier 12 years ago

Thanks AnnvanWijgerden

AnnvanWijgerden 12 years ago

I LOVE these photos!

Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Yes.. you talk my words... Need to understand every portion of body to understand difference...Lots of small difference define a different specie... What I learn here...Project Noah..
Such family, Subfamily names I start consider and refer with knowledge gathered only at here..

Scott Frazier 12 years ago

AshishNimkar thanks very much. I always try to determine if a species that looks like one of my spottings has been recorded there previously. I live on the island of New Guinea which has a unique fauna for many species due to its geography. That is why I often take some time before I decide on a species ID.