Tectocoris diophthalmus, commonly known as the Hibiscus Harlequin Bug or Cotton Harlequin Bug, is the sole member of the genus Tectocoris. 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.The Hibiscus Harlequin Bugs feed on many species of the family Malvaceae, as well as cultivated cotton. They will also feed on Illawarra flame tree 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.

harmful

Tectocoris diophthalmus is considered a tree pest because it feeds on the sap of various tree species, causing damage to the foliage and potentially weakening the overall health of the trees.

tree pest

Tectocoris diophthalmus can be considered garden pests because they have been known to feed on the sap of garden plants, causing damage to the foliage and potentially impacting the overall health and appearance of the plants in the garden.

garden pest

Tectocoris diophthalmus can be considered crop pests because they have been observed feeding on the sap of crop plants, potentially causing damage to the foliage and affecting the overall health and productivity of the crops.

crop pest

Tectocoris diophthalmus is considered a pest because it feeds on the sap of trees, garden plants, and crops, causing damage to the foliage and potentially impacting the overall health and productivity of these plants.

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What does hibiscus Harlequin Bug eat?

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