South American Spittlebug vs Cotton Harlequin Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | South American Spittlebug | Cotton Harlequin Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Deois flavopicta | Tectocoris diophthalmus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Cercopidae | Scutelleridae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 15-20 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela | Australia, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
South American Spittlebug
A dark brown and yellow spittlebug that is a major pest of tropical pasture grasses in Brazil. Nymphs produce protective frothy spittle masses on grass stems.
Did You Know?
Outbreaks can damage millions of hectares of Brazilian pasture, causing estimated annual losses of over $2 billion.
Cotton Harlequin Bug
One of Australia's most colourful insects, with a brilliant metallic orange and iridescent blue-black shield-shaped body. The colour pattern varies between individuals, with females being larger and more brightly marked.
Did You Know?
Females guard their eggs and young nymphs, standing over them protectively in a rare display of maternal care for a bug.