# Harlequin Bug (*Murgantia histrionica*) The Harlequin Bug is a colorful insect with bright red and black patterns. They love to munch on plants and can often be found in gardens, making them easy to spot! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 14 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Harlequin Bug](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Harlequin_Bug_adult_and_nymph.jpg&width=800) Photo: Linda Tanner, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Harlequin_Bug_adult_and_nymph.jpg) ## Appearance The Harlequin Bug has a distinctive shield-shaped body covered in bold black, red, orange, or yellow patterns. These bright colors make it visually different from many other garden insects, serving as a warning. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Pentatomidae - **Genus:** Murgantia ## Interesting facts - Harlequin Bug eggs are laid in neat, barrel-shaped rows, often found on the underside of leaves. - Their scientific name, \*Murgantia histrionica\*, means 'jester' due to their colorful patterns! - These bugs can transmit plant diseases, sometimes causing crops to wilt or die. - They can sometimes overwinter as adults in plant debris, waiting for spring to emerge. ## Special abilities - **Stink Bomb Shield:** Harlequin Bugs can release a foul-smelling liquid when threatened, deterring predators with this strong chemical defense. - **Warning Wear:** Harlequin Bugs have bright colors that signal to predators they are toxic or taste bad, keeping them safe. - **Sap Sipper:** Harlequin Bugs use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to drink vital sap from plants, helping them grow. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-30 mm - **Size:** 8-12 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These colorful bugs enjoy feasting on sap from cabbage, broccoli, and other garden plants! - **Primary Foods:** Cabbage, Broccoli, Kale, Mustard greens, Turnip, Radish - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [House Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — Birds sometimes eat Harlequin Bugs despite their bad taste. - **Eats:** [Cabbage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cabbage) (*Brassica oleracea*) — Harlequin Bugs feed on the sap of cabbage plants. - **Parasitizes:** Parasitoid Wasp (*Trissolcus basalis*) — This tiny wasp lays its eggs inside Harlequin Bug eggs. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low It's best to watch these bugs from a distance and not touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Harlequin Bug? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Harlequin Bug's wingspan? 20-30 mm ### How big is Harlequin Bug? 8-12 mm ### How long does Harlequin Bug live? 30-90 days ### What does Harlequin Bug eat? These colorful bugs enjoy feasting on sap from cabbage, broccoli, and other garden plants! ### Where is Harlequin Bug usually found? Urban areas ### How does Harlequin Bug hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Harlequin Bug have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Bellefontaine Cemetery](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bellefontaine-cemetery) — Missouri, US · Botanical Garden - [Botanical Research Institute of Texas](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/botanical-research-institute-of-texas) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [Cabrillo National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrillo-national-monument) — California, US · National Park - [Morris Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/morris-arboretum) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dallas-arboretum-and-botanical-garden) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [Downtown Huntington Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-huntington-historic-district) — West Virginia, US · Historic District [View all places to see Harlequin Bug](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/harlequin-bug) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Harlequin Bug: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/harlequin-bug)