The bug with shielded knees -Flag-footed Bug - Anisoscelis affinis

This very fancy bug shows up regularly when the maracujas are in flower. Luckily, it doesn't seem to bother the plant much.
PS I'm very sorry this comes under unidentified, it just doesn't work and it should
HERE it is
https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Anisoscelis_affinis
http://yolcatzin.com.mx/?p=410
http://www.latinamericaninsects.net/coreidae.html
and a mediocre photo is here,too.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/350568

comments (6)

morpheme

Lion

Species added, ready to ID Posted 9 years ago, modified 9 years ago

John Sullivan

Lion

I love the look of these bugs, and I love the shapes and colors in this photo! I have a photo of a different species of Costa Rican Anisoscelis that I should add. Posted 9 years ago

John Sullivan

Lion

Annette, how did you distinguish Anisoscelis affinis from other flag-footed bugs known from Costa Rica? I've seen a bunch of photos identified as Anisoscelis flavolineata that have this same basic coloration and pattern, such as on this page: http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2007/07/03/mating-flag-footed-bugs-anisocelis-flavolineata

Also, I've seen some photos identified as Anisoscelis affinis that have less of a well-defined pattern on the back, such as on this page: http://www.backyardnature.net/yucatan/leaffoot.htm Posted 9 years ago, modified 9 years ago
1. Annette Flottwell
  
  Lion
  
  I was torn bewteen the two, there are photos showing it one way or the other. prett confusing. In the end I went by the hostplant.
  But if you want to choose the other one, fine with me. I am no expert. Posted 9 years ago

Annette Flottwell

Lion

I had first wrongly identified it as flavolineata.
then I read about their feeding habits and also saw this
http://www.americaninsects.net/ht/anisoscelis-affinis.html.. that is exactly where I find them in the garden when there are no passionflowers.
I must admit the evidence is pretty confusing. Posted 9 years ago
1. John Sullivan
  
  Lion
  
  I am no expert either. The only reason it even occurred to me is that I have a photo of an Anisoscelis from Costa Rica (mentioned in my first comment above) that I had identified as A. flavolineata. It has the same pattern on the back as yours, but has overall brighter colors. Somebody needs to put up a web page explaining in precise detail how to tell the different Anisoscelis species apart! Posted 9 years ago

The Leaffooted bug

Predominantly herbivorous insects that belong in the hemipteran suborder Heteroptera. Widely referred to as leaf-footed bugs because of the leaf-like expansions some species have on their legs, often on the hind tibiae.

Info 3 0

Similar species: True Bugs

Species identified by Annette Flottwell