Cactus bugs (Narnia femorata)
August 12, 2012 by allthingsbiological
The first arthropods I encountered when I arrived at the Loews Resort in Tucson, AZ was the pair of cactus bugs (Narnia femorata) pictured above. The smaller male is pictured in the upper right, while the larger female is pictured in the lower left. Click/double click to enlarge.
Looking very similar to so many other species within their family (Coreidae), cactus bugs range from southern California to Texas (northmost range), down to Costa Rica.
Feeding primarily on the fruit of prickly pear cactus, this species causes little damage.
Typically there are two generations each year. The pair above mated shortly after I took the photo. The second image shows first generation adults and several second generation nymphs.
Adult cactus bugs (Narnia femorata) with nymphs, photographed in Catalina State Park. Click/double click to enlarge.
Leave a comment