Please help with an ID

BoyNhisDog · Posted: 6/5/2006, 4:17 pm Post subject: Please help with an ID

I was alerted to this thing on our windowsill so I had to take some photos. I have been talking to some folks around the country and world about it but none of us knows what it is or what it does and many are fascinated with both our upland Sonoran flora and fauna. Can anyone help please? For scale purposes, the window piece that it is walking along is 13/16" wide.

Thanks for any help!
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heather · Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 266 Location: Mesa

Sorry I can't help, but have to say that is one cool looking bug. I like the pattern on it's back.

Andy · Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 338 Location: Apache Junction

Looks like some kind of roach!
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BoyNhisDog · Posted: 6/5/2006, 5:15 pm Post subject:

It was not a fast bug. It was a very cool looking thing. I have an email out to an entomologist at the UofA. I got some very good help there with a huge stalked mushroom that pushed up in my backyard. They guy wanted to use my photo for a paper he was working on.
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Hikngrl · Posted: 6/5/2006, 6:28 pm Post subject:

That is awesome!
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beckett · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 1066

Soo cool! Be sure and let us know when you find out the answer!
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JW · Posted: 6/5/2006, 6:42 pm Post subject:

Just printed it off. I should have an ID tomorrow.
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azbackpackr · Posted: 6/5/2006, 8:19 pm Post subject:

I have seen one of those before, also near Tucson, which is where you live, right? But I don't know what it's called. Keep us posted!

GTG · Posted: 6/5/2006, 9:01 pm Post subject:

I knew it would take me a bit. That's a mesquite bug also called coreid or leaf footed bugs.
Here's a link to a great site - http://whatsthatbug.com/true_bugs_2.html

I've never seen them before either. Apparently this is a younger one. Nice find there Glenn!

GTG
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Hikngrl · Posted: 6/5/2006, 9:15 pm Post subject:

Leave it to GTG to" name that bug!"
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evenstar · Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 5548 Location: SCW by way of CA

Yeah, GTG was on that like a chicken on a june bug! Razz

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BoyNhisDog · Posted: 6/6/2006, 4:58 am Post subject:

Thank you GTG! Good ID.
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Seize from every moment its unique novelty and do not prepare your joys
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JW · Posted: 6/7/2006, 6:38 am Post subject:

BoyNhisDog · Posted: 6/8/2006, 1:16 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the help Jim. One of my friends is into Zoology, has a PhD and benefits from the scientific names as you supplied. It is good to provide both the common name and the scientific anyway. I have seen some giant bugs and some of them are the more mature versions of this one I bet. The palo verde beetle is another big one.
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Seize from every moment its unique novelty and do not prepare your joys
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BoyNhisDog · Posted: 6/19/2006, 12:15 pm Post subject:

The University Bug Man got back to me and this is what he has to say about it;

The insect is the last instar (growth stage) of the Giant Mesquite Bug, Thasus neocalifornicus. It is an herbivore, drinking from various places on mesquite trees. Totally harmless but a wonderful sight. It has scent glands that produce (to me) a pleasant odor, to predators it probably makes them stick their nose up. These hatch from eggs laid on mesquite in probably late summer, emerge in April sometime, feed and grow into June, then will molt into an adult with wings and a lot less color. Since they can now fly, they don't need to advertise to protect, but fly away from the eaters. Those pads on the antennae are curious but nobody has figured out what they are for. This is definitely a Sonoran bug.
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Seize from every moment its unique novelty and do not prepare your joys
- Andre Gide