Dindymus versicolor

Harlequin Bug at Crooked Corner, NSW

Dindymus versicolor at Crooked Corner, NSW - 29 Dec 2022
Dindymus versicolor at Crooked Corner, NSW - 29 Dec 2022
Dindymus versicolor at Crooked Corner, NSW - 29 Dec 2022
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Identification history

Dindymus versicolor 2 Jan 2023 MichaelMulvaney
Dindymus versicolor 31 Dec 2022 Milly

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User's notes

Female was 'attacking?' another insect - wouldn't be for food as they're sap suckers. The other insect looks similar to the Harlequins but different colouring - if it is the same and another female, maybe it was being warned off the male! I'm intrigued.

2 comments

   2 Jan 2023
Harlequin bugs come in a range of shades and I think the dead insect is also a harlequin. I did see on the web, some-one refer to them as the B-doubles of the animal world because of the way they move around while mating. Also males and females indicate their ability to mate by releasing pheromones attractive to the opposite sex. So perhaps something else sucked the life out of the Harlequin, but the dead bug still smelt of pheromone attractive to the female who manoeuvred her partner towards it.
Milly wrote:
   2 Jan 2023
Sounds like a logical explanation Michael - thank you - much appreciated.

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Additional information

  • 12mm to 25mm Animal size
  • Mixed Gender
  • Breeding behaviour Breeding behaviour
  • Alive / healthy Animal health

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