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Project Noah Nature School
Riptortus serripes
About 10mm long, red/brown in colour with 6 black dots on abdomen. Similar shape and mouth piece as an assassin bug.
Spotted on Feb 11, 2013
Submitted on Apr 13, 2013
6 Comments
Cool spot!!
Looks good to me, thanks guys.
Yes, more than six spots. Silly me. I think there will be some differences between species and between instars too. My late instar nymph (image three http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/893... ) has dots too but it is dark.
That seems fairly close Martin. (8 or 10 spots?)
I think you have a pod sucking bug.
I think it is the family Alydidae.
Check the final instar (sharing six abdominal dots) of this species. http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_...
I have seen similar ones, both adults and nymphs associated with Acacia seed pods. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/893...
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/916...
I think you're on the right track Rachael. Maybe 'damsel bug' nymph? It's a very good brown ant mimic.