Swan plant seed bug
Arocatus rusticus (StÂl)
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Lygaeidae
Size range
- About 10 mm long
Distribution
- Originally from Australia.
- Found in NZ, as far south as Central Otago
Life History
- Nymphs and adults feed on seeds of swan plant (Gomphocarpus).
- Also found on Tweedia and Parsonsia (a NZ creeper)
- Adults hibernate amongst dead leaves and under bark
Additional images
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Immature seed bug Photo by Mike Pigneguy
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Bugs on swan plant seeds Photo by Mike Pigneguy
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Adult with wings folded
