Categories

red mesquite bug
Hi there.
I live in southern Arizona and wonder about this fellow. He’s about an inch and a half long, seems to suck the young peas inside mesquite (velvet variety). Any idea? I run a newspaper, so, I’ll give your website credit with a description if you name him.
Thanks,
Joseph Birkett

Hi Joseph,
This is a Giant Mesquite Bug. About a year ago, we identified it as Thasus neocalifornicus. Bugguide currently has a very similar looking species identified as Thasus acutangulus. We are not certain if these are separate species or if the taxonomy is changing. To add confusion, we have also found internet references with the genus spelled Thassus, probably an error. At any rate, your photo is of an immature specimen. Adults have wings. They feed on juices from mesquite at all stages of development.

Related Posts

1. Giant Mesquite Bug (July 10, 2006)
2. Giant Mesquite Bugs (June 13, 2006)
3. Giant Mesquite Bug Nymph (June 13, 2008)
4. Giant Mesquite Bug: adult and nymphs (and it’s edible!!!) (January 28, 2008)
5. Giant Mesquite Bug (November 8, 2008)