View source for Dindymus versicolor

{{Short description|Species of true bug}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Dindymus versicolor from CSIRO.jpg
| genus = Dindymus
| species = versicolor
| authority = ([[Herrich-Schaeffer]], 1853)
| synonyms = ''Odontopus versicolor'' <small>Herrich-Schaeffer, 1853</small><ref>[http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Harlequin+Bug#names Harlequin Bug], Atlas of Living Australia</ref>
}}
'''''Dindymus versicolor''''', commonly called the '''harlequin bug''',<ref>[http://www.ces.csiro.au/aicn/system/c_1865.htm ''Dindymus versicolor''], CSIRO Handbook of Australian Insect Names</ref> is a species of [[Pyrrhocoridae|cotton stainer bug]] (red bug), found in south-eastern [[Australia]] and [[Tasmania]]. An attractive insect, up to 12&nbsp;mm long with a black head and bands on the fore-wing, and orange/red elsewhere. When the wings are folded, two red triangles appear. Legs are relatively long.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Child, John|year=1968|title=Australian Insects|edition=revised|publisher=Periwinkle Books|page=38}} Library of Congress Catalog Card (LCCN) 6822996 (Juvenile audience)</ref>
These sucking insects have a reputation as a pest in the garden, damaging a wide range of plants. They are known to damage a variety of crops and [[Ornamental plant|ornamentals]]. The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (Agriculture) report they attack cotton, [[Pome|pome fruits]], [[Prunus|stone fruits]], fig, grape, [[Brachychiton|kurrajong]], strawberry, vegetables, [[wisteria]], [[dahlia]] and [[Viola (plant)|violet]]s.<ref name=Ag>{{Cite web|last=Fletcher|first=Murray|title=Plant Bugs 508|url=http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/142808/plant-bugs.pdf|work=Prime Facts|publisher=NSW Department of Primary Industries|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523024237/http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/142808/plant-bugs.pdf|archivedate=23 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
In winter they find shelter in dark shady places such as under compost, timber, hedges and fence palings.<ref name=Stewart>{{cite book|last=Stewart|first=Robin|title=Robin Stewart's Chemical Free Pest Control|year=2002|publisher=Black Inc|location=Melbourne|isbn=1863951318|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=4GwYoJUTEgwC&pg=PA159 159&ndash;161]}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://trove.nla.gov.au/list?id=50921 Trove List]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q5278017}}
[[Category:Pyrrhocoridae]]
[[Category:Insects of Australia]]
{{Heteroptera-stub}}