| Photo Information |
| Copyright: Guillermo Angulo (geangulo) (2) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2008-05-05 |
| Categories: Insects |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2008-06-06 8:12 |
| Viewed: 8872 |
| Points: 0 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Dear Guillermo,
The insect in your photographs is a leaf-footed bug belonging to the genus Diactor (class Insecta, order Heteroptera, family Coreidae). Most likely it is Diactor bilineatus. The various species of Diactor are among the most attractive members of the order Heteroptera (true bugs). You will find them associated with plants of the genus Passiflora (family Passifloraceae) both the cultivated species (maracuyá) as well as the various wild species. They also are found on Turnera spp. (family Turneraceae), which is what the plant in your photos appears to be. Passifloraceae and Turneraceae are related families and have similar chemicals. The green parts of both groups of plants are poisonous if eaten, and the insects that eat them appear to be protected from predators by the chemicals they obtain from the plants. Thus, insects that eat Passiflora and Turnera are brightly colored to warn predators of their toxicity, and because they have no fear they are easily approached and photographed.
With all good wishes.
Annette Aiello
Staff Scientist
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute |
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