CLOSED: Maternal Aussie bug?

Roads Winkler, MB, Canada Jun 25, 2009

Here's an insect I came across while traveling in Queensland, Australia. I've never been able to ID it. Here, it seems to be guarding its eggs.

Roads Winkler, MB, Canada Jun 25, 2009

The next day, the eggs have hatched, and mom's still watching close by.

Roads Winkler, MB, Canada Jun 25, 2009

Day three: the young are getting more adventurous, but mom isn't ready to let go just yet.

This message was edited Jun 25, 2009 1:31 PM

cedar18 Lula, GA(Zone 7b) Jun 25, 2009

fascinating series of shots Roads. Thanks for posting. Very cool that you got to witness the process.

kennedyh Churchill, Victoria, Australia(Zone 10a) Jun 25, 2009

Roads, those are indeed fascinating shots.

I believe your bug is the Cotton Harlequin Bug - Tectocoris diophthalmus: http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_stinkbugs/Harlequin.htm

I have created an entry for this bug in BugFiles here: http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/5678/
I hope you will add your images to that page and perhaps also add a comment describing this interesting sequence

Kennedy

Roads Winkler, MB, Canada Jun 26, 2009

Kennedy, thanks so much for your help. I definitely saw a lot of cool animal life while I was in Aus; I can't wait to go back.

kennedyh Churchill, Victoria, Australia(Zone 10a) Jun 26, 2009

Thanks Roads, that is a great addition to BugFiles

Kennedy

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