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unidentified insect
Posted: Jul 02 2011 4:09 pm
by azdesertfather
seeing a bunch of these where we are now living in Oro Valley ... what are these? Is it some sort of cicada?
Re: unidentified insect
Posted: Jul 02 2011 4:17 pm
by Al_HikesAZ
My guess would be Giant Mesquite Bug. Looks like a photo an acquaintance posted on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrick_do ... 639720808/
Giant Mesquite Bug (Instar)
Order Hemiptera - True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies
Suborder Heteroptera - True Bugs
Family Coreidae - Leaffooted Bugs
Genus Thasus
Species neocalifornicus - Giant Mesquite Bug
Not too far off with your cicada guess. The legs are the big clue to Leaf-footed bugs.
Re: unidentified insect
Posted: Jul 02 2011 4:51 pm
by SkyIslander18
I see these every year out at Roper Lake SP in the mesquite trees. A few years back they were in clumps on the branches, I don't think I've seen any this year yet.
Re: unidentified insect
Posted: Jul 02 2011 4:55 pm
by azdesertfather
cool, looks like a new addition to the fauna area!
Here are a couple of other pics, maybe a bit better...although I can't find one that looks a little different like in the last picture ... I'm assuming that was the same species, just a female?
Re: unidentified insect
Posted: Jul 02 2011 5:49 pm
by Canyonram
Agree with Al Hikes AZ. Looks like the wingless nymph stage of the Giant Mesquite Bug (Thasus acutangulus). Bight coloration says stay away. Don't try to pick one up for a close look---they repel predators with a stinky odor when disturbed.