The eggs are a very recognizable barrel shape standing on their end, marked by two rows of alternating black and white stripes and a black dot. Adult females will mate and lay around a dozen black and white eggs per female on the underside of leaves. These bugs overwinter as adults to emerge in early spring every year. One generation or life cycle of harlequin bugs develops over 50-80 days as they undergo the egg stage, nymph instars, and adult stages. Harlequin bugs are destructive pests because they can have up to three generations per year under favorable conditions. It’s no surprise that this bug has captured the imagination of many people who have come up with a range of names for them such as the “calico bug” the “fire bug” and “terrapin back”. They are approximately 8-11.5 mm (3/8 in) in length and the female bugs are slightly larger than the males. This aposematic coloration is a form of self-defense to deter predators. Harlequin bugs have a distinctive look with their black shield-shaped bodies, speckled with yellow, orange, and red patterns. Harlequin Bug Overview Harlequin bug nymphs look a bit different than the adults. Good Products At Amazon For Preventing Harlequin Bugs: If left unchecked, this pest can cause entire field crops to wilt and die. Not only are they invasive pests, but harlequin bugs are also a pest for cruciferous plants such as cabbage, kale, broccoli, mustard greens, and others, earning them the name “harlequin cabbage bugs”. They are commonly found in the southern United States and rarely north of Pennsylvania on the East Coast and Colorado to the west. Originating from Mexico and Central America, it was introduced to the U.S. Harlequin bug is an invasive pest in North America. The harlequin bug is a member of the stink bug family and has a similar shape and size as other stink bugs they also produce odors as a defense mechanism against predators. The harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica (Hahn) is named for this species’ unique coloration and pattern.
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