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Ant-mimicking Seed Bug - Daerlac nigricans

Family Rhyparochromidae

This page contains pictures and information about Ant-mimicking Seed Bugs that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.

Body length 10mm
Yes, this is a true bug. Its body colour and behaviour is mimicking the black ant. It was found wandering on a large gum tree trunk, where a lot of black ants is running around. 
 
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It did not have the waist, which is the characteristic of all ants, but its body colour pattern mimics just exactly this. From our reference books, ant-mimic bug could be lygaeids, alydids or mirids. From its head and antenna it looks like a lygaeids.
 
  
 
Then we found out it is in Rhyparochromidae family. 
 
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Reference:
1. Terrestrial Invertebrate Status Review (Brisbane City) - Dr John Stanisic, Queensland Museum, 2005, page 61,63.

 

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Last updated: April 03, 2008.