Harlequin Bug

Dindymus versicolor

"Dindymus versicolor", commonly called the harlequin bug, is a species of cotton stainer bug, found in south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. In North Central districts of Victoria it is sometimes colloquially known as the "Sex Beetle".
Dindymus versicolor  Australia,Dindymus versicolor,Fall,Geotagged,Harlequin Bug

Appearance

An attractive insect, up to 12 mm long with a black head and bands on the fore-wing, and orange/red elsewhere. When the wings are folded, two red triangles appear. Legs are relatively long.
Harlequin Bug - Dindymus versicolor  Australia,Dindymus versicolor,Eamw cotton stained bugs,Geotagged,Harlequin Bug,Summer

Behavior

These sucking insects have a reputation as a pest in the garden, damaging a wide range of plants. They are known to damage a variety of crops and ornamentals. The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries report they attack cotton, pome fruits, stone fruits, fig, grape, kurrajong, strawberry, vegetables, wisteria, dahlia and violets.

In winter they find shelter in dark shady places such as under compost, timber, hedges and fence palings.

References:

Some text fragments are auto parsed from Wikipedia.

Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderHemiptera
FamilyPyrrhocoridae
GenusDindymus
SpeciesD. versicolor
Photographed in
Australia