Subject: Beautiful insect from Guatemala
Location: Guatemala
May 25, 2013 7:53 pm
My daughter took this photo in Guatemala of what I think must be the most beautiful insect in the world. I am curious to know more about this insect, and what function its beautiful markings might serve. I tried to find out more about it through Google images, and found a photo of another specimen, but with no useful information (https://contest.thesca.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/large/IMG_2098.JPG ) Can you tell me about this insect?
Signature: Ed Max
Hi Ed,
This is the nymph of a Leaf Footed Bug in the genus Thasus, and they are commonly called Giant Mesquite Bugs. They are edible, which is interesting since the color would most likely be described as aposomatic or warning coloration. We have not been successful in identifying this particular insect to the species level, but we are confident that the genus Thasus is correct.