Subject: Colourful bugs from South Mexico
Location: South Mexico – jungle
September 23, 2014 5:09 am
Further to my previous email I wondered if you could identify this very colourful bug? I have tried but to no avail. Searching for Mexican insects almost always leads to sites about eating them. I imagine these are probably found in parts of the US as well but I have been unsuccessful none the less. This type of bug is completely beyond my normal range of knowledge… it kind of looks like a really fat leaf-footed/assassin hybrid!
Any ideas?
Signature: Long time avid WTB reader
Dear Long time avid WTB reader,
These colorful nymphs are immature Giant Mesquite Bugs in the genus Thasus. Interestingly, this is an edible species and we are surprised you didn’t find it on the edible sites you searched. There is a North American species of Giant Mesquite Bug that is found primarily in Arizona.