The matador bug, ''Anisoscelis alipes'', is a species of

leaf-footed bug Coreidae is a large family of predominantly sap-sucking insects in the Hemipteran suborder Heteroptera. The name "Coreidae" derives from the genus '' Coreus'', which derives from the Ancient Greek () meaning bedbug. As a family, the Coreidae ...

in the family

Coreidae Coreidae is a large family (biology), family of predominantly sap-sucking insects in the Hemipteran suborder Heteroptera. The name "Coreidae" derives from the genus ''Coreus'', which derives from the Ancient Greek () meaning bedbug. As a fam ...

. It has been observed in Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Mexico. It was first described by French entomologist

Félix Édouard Guérin-Méneville Félix Édouard Guérin-Méneville, also known as F. E. Guerin, (12 October 1799, in Toulon – 26 January 1874, in Paris) was a French entomologist. Life and work Guérin-Méneville changed his surname from Guérin in 1836. He was the author o ...

in 1833. ''Anisoscelis flavolineatus'', previously considered a distinct species, is currently considered a synonym of ''A. alipes''. The large colourful flags on the legs are not used in reproductive competition, but appears to have an

aposematic Aposematism is the Advertising in biology, advertising by an animal, whether terrestrial or marine, to potential predation, predators that it is not worth attacking or eating. This unprofitability may consist of any defenses which make the pr ...

anti-predator function with birds.

References

Insects described in 1833 alipes Endemic fauna of Panama Endemic fauna of Colombia {{Coreidae-stub