Hibiscus Harlequin Bugs

 

Male Hibiscus Harlequin Bug         Photo: A. Podlich

These insects are like miniature Christmas decorations; the males are blue and the females are orange. They are being reported in many places in our area at the moment. Although lovely to look at, unfortunately they are not very lovely in our gardens. They are sap suckers on plants in the family Malvaceae, which includes cotton and hibiscus. They can become a bit of a pest in cotton, giving it an alternative name, Cotton Harlequin Bug. They are also found on Flame Trees (Brachychiton acerifolius) and other brachychitons, grevilleas and bottlebrushes. The females below were on the Native Rosella (Hibiscus heterophyllus) at Teviot Creek, Dugandan.

Female Hibiscus Harlequin Bug    Photo: W. Dunn

Eggs are laid around twigs and the females guard them until they hatch and sometimes after, while they are young instars. 

The Hibiscus Harlequin Bug is found in northern and eastern Australia, New Guinea and some Pacific islands.

Females guarding eggs     Photo: W. Dunn

 For more photos go to this link.