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Dindymus versicolor
These colourful bugs can be the bane of gardeners in south-eastern Australia. When they appear it is often as an instant plague, covering plants in hundreds, and found in all nymphal and adult stages together. About 12mm long as adults they are might be confused with the Mexican Murgantia histrionica but not related.
On shrubs and understory plants in open dry eucalyptus based forest.
It always rankles me somewhat to find a local native classified as a pest. http://www.padil.gov.au/pests-and-diseas...
The bright colours possibly warn predators about an acrid taste as they certainly can smell pungent if accidentally crushed.
Spotted on Apr 7, 2015
Submitted on Sep 7, 2015
3 Comments
That's a beauty!
But, sooooo beautiful Mark!
It's a party bug!