''Tectocoris diophthalmus'', commonly known as the hibiscus harlequin bug or cotton harlequin bug, is the sole member of the genus ''Tectocoris''Cassis, G. & Vanags, L. (2006) Jewel Bugs of Australia (Insecta, Heteroptera, Scutelleridae). Denisia 50: 275-398. and subfamily Tectocorinae. It is a brightly coloured convex and rounded shield-shaped bug with a metallic sheen that grows to about 20 mm. Adult females are mostly orange and males are both blue and red or orange, while nymphs are typically metallic green and purple. The colours are quite variable, and experiments suggest that the variation in colour may reduce bird predation, especially on the immature stages. This extreme level of variation is such that different taxonomists have, since 1781, described this species under different new names at least 16 times, some of these supernumerary names remaining in use until 2006, when it was finally confirmed that they were all colour forms of a single organism. It is common in Eastern Australia, New Guinea and several Pacific Islands in habitats ranging from urban to agricultural and coastal areas. Queensland Museum (2000), p. 89. Hibiscus harlequin bugs feed on many species of the family Malvaceae, as well as cultivated cotton. They will also feed on

Illawarra flame tree ''Brachychiton acerifolius'' is a large tree of the family Malvaceae endemic to tropical and subtropical regions on the east coast of Australia. It is famous for the bright red bell-shaped flowers that often cover the whole tree when it is l ...

flowers, grevillea and bottlebrush saplings. They pierce the stems of young shoots and suck the sap. Females lay clusters of eggs around stems of usually the hibiscus plant and then guards them until they hatch.

Gallery

Cotton Harlequin Bug. Cooktown.jpg, Cotton Harlequin Bug. Cooktown Tectocoris diophthalmus (female adult with eggs - ventrolateral).jpg, adult female guarding eggs Tectocoris diophthalmus (female adult with eggs - dorsoolateral).jpg, adult female with eggs Tectocoris diophthalmus group.jpg, This group is all blue, when typically they are a mix of blue and orange. Tectocoris diophthalmus (Thunberg) (Hemiptera- Scutelleridae) - hibiscus harlequin bug (nymph) - dorsal view.jpg, Dorsal view

Footnotes

References

* Queensland Museum (2000). ''Wildlife of Tropical North Queensland''. ,

External links

* OzAnimals.com Australian Wildlif

* Excellent photos - showing colour variations and mating

{{Taxonbar, from=Q7692830 Insects of Australia Scutelleridae Insects described in 1783 Monotypic Hemiptera genera