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Largus maculatus nymph - Mexican Border Plant Bug This has a dark red square patch on back met by black to the end of the abdomen.  I think it's a less mature nymph that I have previously posted. Could it be a beetle? Geotagged,Largus maculatus,Spring,United States Click/tap to enlarge

Largus maculatus nymph - Mexican Border Plant Bug

This has a dark red square patch on back met by black to the end of the abdomen. I think it's a less mature nymph that I have previously posted. Could it be a beetle?

    comments (3)

  1. One good way to tell a beetle from a Hempiteran nymph is by the elytra. Beetles have hardened forewings called elytra. So, when you look at the dorsal side of the abdomen, they have two hard wings with a line down the center. A hemipteran nymph won't have this feature.

    Also, beetles have chewing mandible mouthparts. A beetle's mouthparts will be on the front of their heads. But, hemipterans have piercing/sucking mouthparts, which look kind of like a beak with a stylet that is used for piercing and sucking juices out of their prey. They keep their mouthpart basically folded under their bodies when not in use.

    From this photo, I think it is a hemipteran nymph because I can't see any elytra, but it is a bit difficult to tell from the photo. Do you remember noticing elytra with a vertical line down the center?
    Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
    1. I did not see a vertical line, it looked smooth and solid. Posted 5 years ago
  2. https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipPdLhUvJFcNmuM-3k-f2XYt6SfuFfofT4YWF2cO
    I'm not sure this will provide a link to my google photos, however it shows what was next to it on the Sorrel plant, which looks like the Largus Maculatus
    Posted 5 years ago

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Largus maculatus is a plant bug in the family Largidae.

Similar species: True Bugs
Species identified by DebRich
View DebRich's profile

By DebRich

All rights reserved
Uploaded Jul 13, 2020. Captured Jun 8, 2020 12:17 in 850 Avant Ave, San Antonio, TX 78210, USA.
  • iPhone 8 Plus
  • f/1.8
  • 1/127s
  • ISO20
  • 3.99mm