Other Common Names
Wee Harlequin Bug, Two-spotted Stink Bug
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Formerly Cosmopepla bimaculata, and still listed that way by most guides.
Identification
Body black with red band crossing width of pronotum and a short red stripe along the midline (these markings are sometimes orange or yellow); scutellum with two red marginal spots near apex - a distinguishing feature and the origin of the common name; tips of wings clear or appearing white when overlapped.
Nymphs have similar color and pattern to adults but lack wings.
Habitat
Wide variety, esp. fields, gardens
Season
Adults: usually May-October; sometimes as early as March
Food
Adults suck plant juices from many different plants: thistles, mints, goldenrods, ragweeds, columbines.
Life Cycle
Females lay eggs in clusters on host plants and guard them. Overwinters as an adult beneath leaf litter.
Remarks
Adults may sometimes be seen crawling among leaf litter soon after snowmelt on warm sunny days in March and April
"Twice-stabbed Stinkbug" was used as a common name by several sources.
Print References
Arnett, p. 252, fig. 20.11
(1)
Slater, p. 52, fig. 77
(2)Internet References
classification change [to
C. lintneriana] and key to species of
Cosmopepla (North Dakota State U.)
North Carolina State University Entomology Collection has 170 pinned (abundant!), including specimens from North Carolina, and this is the only member of that genus listed with specimens from that state.
Contributed by
Cotinis on 1 September, 2004 - 6:54am
Additional contributions by
Robin McLeod,
Ron M.Last updated 19 July, 2009 - 3:40pm
